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Well. ... The free agent signing period is officially underway and the biggest stories of the week -- Daunte Culpepper's apparently imminent (and less-than-genial) departure from Minnesota and the chase for Drew Brees most notable among them -- remain unresolved.

I will, of course, have more on those and other major stories here in the Headline News section as developments warrant.

In the meantime, those looking to keep up with the minutiae of free agency should keep a close eye on the News & Views section here at FootballDiehards.com. As always, you'll find an ongoing stream of pertinent news, notes, rumors, visits, signings and other items of interest are posted there on a daily basis.

I also recommend NFL Network insider Adam Schefter's running overview of the latest signings and schedule of free-agent visits as posted on NFL.com.

With that out of the way. ... Let's move on to a few other stories of interest that might have been overshadowed by the hullabaloo. ...

Starting in Green Bay. ... As ESPN.com senior writer Michael Smith first reported, even as Packers officials wait for Brett Favre to retire or return, receiver Javon Walker, who is rehabilitating the right knee he injured in last year's season opener, said on Thursday that he has already informed the Packers of his desire to play elsewhere.

And according to Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel staffer Bob McGinn, Walker's agent, Kennard McGuire of Chicago, reiterated Friday what his client told Smith: Walker has played his final game for Green Bay.

"He has made it perfectly clear that he does not want a new contract from them," McGuire told McGinn. "The mind-set is there really is no future there. This young man only wants peace of mind. He does not feel that he would have peace of mind playing there."

Last week, McGuire asked general manager Ted Thompson for permission to seek a trade. Thompson denied it.

A spokesman in Thompson's office said told McGinn was declining all interviews regarding McGuire. Late in the afternoon, the club issued a statement from Thompson that read, in part:

"During his time as a Green Bay Packer, Javon Walker has been well thought of by everyone here. I like Javon, certainly as a person and as a player. That said, Javon is under contract. ... And we expect him to honor it. ... I don't anticipate us making any concessions in this matter."

Packers president Bob Harlan said he was disappointed by Walker's remarks but declined additional comment other than to say, "Let's see where it goes."

According to McGuire, Thompson still has hopes that the Packers will get Walker on the field for the final year of the five-year, $6.7 million contract that he signed in 2002 after being the 20th pick in the draft.

"He said he wanted to exhaust all means in working this situation out, which I applaud him for," McGuire said. "But everything that I'm hearing from the family, the answer is 'no.'"

In fact, Walker, who tried to renegotiate his contract last off-season only to report in time for the first practice, is so angry with team management that he appears to have reached the point of no return.

"I just don't feel like this is the best place for me to be right now," Walker told Smith. "I really have no interest in being in a Green Bay Packers uniform or playing for Green Bay again."

Citing recent contract squabbles with running back Ahman Green, tight end Bubba Franks, defensive lineman Grady Jackson and cornerback Mike McKenzie, as well as his own, Walker added, "I just don't like the way the organization runs itself. They want players to come up there and play hard and work hard, but when it comes time to be compensated, it's like, 'We forgot what you've done.'"

Smith went on to remind readers that the source of Walker's bitterness is the team's refusal even to discuss his contract last season -- a deal which at the time had two years remaining, the penultimate year of which paid him $515,000 the season after he made the Pro Bowl by catching 89 passes for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns.

But Walker says that at this point, money is not the issue.

Among the reasons for Walker's strident tone is the fact that Favre offended him by speaking out against the receiver in his contract dispute, saying he should come to training camp and not hold out -- advice Walker heeded before suffering a torn ACL in the regular-season opener.

Making matters worse, Walker believes Favre's comments made living and working in Wisconsin difficult; Walker tells of one instance when he was in a hotel and an employee announced his presence on an Internet message board for "anyone who had something to say to Javon Walker."

It also angered Walker that the team allowed their star quarterback to interfere publicly in a teammate's business with management. He held his tongue all year.

"There's an unwritten rule that players stick together," said Walker, still biting his tongue on Favre for the most part.

While Walker is quite adamant about not sticking around in Green Bay for the final year of his contract -- whether Favre returns or not -- he promises not to be a disruption next season, because he doesn't plan to show up at all for training camp.

"If I had to go back there, I'd retire," he said. "I don't have to play."

The rift is so deep and his animosity toward Favre so great that, Walker said, he is even willing if necessary to repay the Packers the prorated portion of his signing bonus, which amounts to around $850,000.

"Why should I risk another year of getting beat up playing for a team that I don't want to play for? That's stupid," Walker said.

Walker, who underwent surgery Oct. 7 in Houston, says his rehab in Florida is going as planned. He's sprinting and should be ready to go by training camp -- for some other team, he hopes.

"I love the game," Walker said. "But I'm not going to risk what I went through this year, tearing an ACL and taking pain pills. If I'm going to go out and take hits, it's going to be for a team that I love playing for."

Walker said he's expressed his feelings to new head coach Mike McCarthy.

He claims to have told McCarthy, "It's nothing against you or your staff, but it's unfair to you to have a player in your organization that doesn't want to be there."

"I'm not going to grandstand," Walker said. "I just want the Packers to give me peace of mind."

As McGinn suggested, if it was a year ago, the Packers probably could have received at least a first-round draft choice for Walker. Now, because Walker is damaged goods, the Packers might be fortunate to get even a mid- to late-round pick in return.

And even if they want to, that's going to make it very difficult to move Walker. And that folks should make things very interesting in Green Bay over the next couple of months. ...

In a related note. ... Walker's demands prompted Sports Illustrated senior writer Don Banks to wonder: "What is it about skill players in the NFC North who suffer a season-ending knee injury and then decide it's the perfect time to demand a trade to a new team, even though they're currently damaged goods?

"First Culpepper, now. ... Walker"

Banks went on to suggest, "Wouldn't that be a hoot, if Walker retired before his teammate and sometimes critic Favre?"

By golly, it certainly would. ...

And while we're on the topic of high-maintenance wideouts. ... Philadelphia News beat man Les Bowen reminded readers this past week that with free agency finally under way, the clock is again ticking on the Eagles' possession of Terrell Owens' rights.

The Eagles will owe Owens a $5 million roster bonus if he is on their roster as of the fifth day of the new NFL year. Free agency begins the year, so unless there is some new twist, before Tuesday is over, the divorce at last will be official between the All-Pro wide receiver and the Eagles.

Meaning those interested in securing Owens' services are likely to start getting serious on Wednesday -- if of course, they haven't already.

While the Eagles are free to release him any time before them, it doesn't appear team officials are in any hurry to do the mercurial receiver any favors, make his life any less complicated or make agent Drew Rosenhaus' job any easier.

Meanwhile, all the uncertainty over where the salary cap would end up before the new collective bargaining agreement was reached might have dampened speculation over Owens' new destination.

The Denver Broncos invited him for a chat last month -- head coach Mike Shanahan and Owens met Jan. 30 at Shanahan's house, but they have seemed no more than lukewarm since.

In fact, Rocky Mountain News staffer Jeff Legwold advised readers on Friday that even though the Broncos will look at the controversial Owens, as they would any potential free agent, they simply aren't as interested as some have made them out to be.

"But that's because it's written about all the time," owner Pat Bowlen said Thursday. "It has been written about here, on the national level, talked about on ESPN and all the rest of it. It's taken on a life of it's own, so to speak. I think there is a hell of a lot more credibility given to that than there should be.

"I'm not saying we're not interested in T.O., but I think the level of interest attributed to us is way beyond where we are."

Kansas City's new head coach, Herman Edwards, has indicated his interest, but on Thursday, Chiefs president Carl Peterson told the Kansas City Star he would only be willing to sign Owens to a bare-bones, one-year deal.

"If Terrell and his agent are interested in a 1-year contract with no guarantees and a lot of incentives, then we're interested," Peterson told the paper. "He knows that, and his representative knows that. They haven't called me back on that yet, and they may not call me back."

And they might not. ... Rosenhaus, huddled with Dallas head coach Bill Parcells at the NFL scouting combine a few weeks ago and a number of insiders -- headed by ESPN.com's John Clayton and Len Pasquarelli -- view Dallas as the favorite.

As Pasquarelli explained it, "Parcells has always loved players who work hard and, for whatever problems Owens had off the field during his stops in San Francisco and Philadelphia, no one has ever questioned his unwavering work ethic.

"Even in practices, Owens goes hard every snap. As for the baggage he brings with him, well, Parcells has dealt with such situations in the past."

And perhaps most importantly, Pasquarelli reminded readers that Dallas could use another difference-maker on the offensive side of the ball, and Owens still has big-play skills.

But the Cowboys don't have a monopoly on that need. Just ask the Broncos.

In fact, Denver Post columnist Jim Armstrong advised readers this past week that fixing their issues on third down is the final piece to the Broncos' puzzle. Their running game on a bad day is among the NFL's best, but that doesn't do them any good when it's third-and-7.

Armstrong added: "That's when the Broncos all too often bring a knife to a gunfight."

Remember, Denver finished 22nd in the league in third-down conversions at 36.2 percent - 46.1 percent when they run, 30.6 percent when they're forced to throw. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it turns out the Broncos were 27th among the NFL's 32 teams in converting third downs through the air.

The Bronx converted 41 third downs out of 134 passing attempts. The Colts converted 67 out of 138 for a league-leading 48.6 percent. The Panthers and Bengals were next at 41.4 percent, followed by the Patriots at 40.8 percent.

So again, Dallas isn't the only team in need of a playmaker.

Following up on a couple of previously reported items. ...

We'll start in Detroit, where Joey Harrington started over this past week, when he reported to "quarterback school" at Lions headquarters and his teacher, new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, began asking him to forget much of what he knows about football.

"We're going to strip it down, and he's going to start all over, from taking the stance under the center, the whole thing," Martz told Detroit Free Press staffer Nicholas J. Cotsonika. "We're just going to start all over again."

People around the NFL will be watching to see what happens.

The Lions have invested a lot in Harrington -- the third pick in the 2002 draft, four years of development, millions of dollars -- and haven't gotten much of a return. He has gone 18-37 as a starter.

Still, they have him slated as their No. 1 quarterback for 2006.

And as Cotsonika reminded readers, Martz has developed much-less-heralded quarterbacks into Pro Bowlers -- Trent Green (undrafted), Kurt Warner (undrafted), Marc Bulger (sixth round) -- and he thinks he can make something of Harrington.

At his introductory news conference Feb. 16, Martz said he knew more about Harrington the college quarterback, who went 25-3 as a starter at Oregon and was a Heisman Trophy finalist. Then Martz studied some film.

Martz called Harrington on Feb. 21, and they had what Harrington described as an "incredibly positive" conversation.

"I just said I knew he was going to be a good player, and it's my job to get him there," Martz said. "He's a good player waiting to happen, and I think we can expedite that."

At the NFL scouting combine Feb. 25, Martz said: "He's much better skill-wise than I remembered him. It's pretty significant."

Asked what he liked, Martz said: "Everything. There's nothing I didn't like. I liked everything about him physically. Now it's just getting him to slow down -- he's going real fast -- and trust what's going on. You've just got strip him down and teach him this system and get him involved in what we do and how we do it, and I don't think that'll be an issue."

Martz said he saw no value in harping on any bad habits Harrington had in the past and that Harrington's struggles weren't all his fault. He wants Harrington to move forward with a clean slate and a clear head.

"I don't know what was said or what he was asked to do," Martz said. "There's so many variables. To go over and review that doesn't make any sense to me.

"I feel like there's talent there. There's a lot of things that happened to him with receivers and protections. There's a lot of things that need to be ironed out with that group, and we can do that."

According to Cotsonika, there seems to be no consensus around the NFL on whether Harrington can become a good quarterback.

One NFL executive said his team had evaluated Harrington coming out of college the same way the Lions had, thinking he was going to be "special," and still saw that potential in him.

Some wondered if Harrington had been affected by a lack of stability and support, plus a West Coast offense that didn't put him in a position to succeed.

"Joey's been through a number of different coordinators now when you look at it," said St. Louis offensive coordinator Greg Olson, the Lions' quarterbacks coach in 2004-05. "Has he ever really gotten into a system where he's been able to get in and get comfortable?"

Dick Jauron, the Lions' interim coach the last five games of 2005, told Cotsonika: "I know that different guys function better in different systems. Hopefully this will be the time."

Cotsonika went on to suggest that Harrington should throw downfield more often under Martz. Some think that will play to his strengths.

But one NFL assistant coach said the system wasn't the issue, because Harrington didn't show enough accuracy and anticipation when throwing against air in warm-ups.

Others wondered whether Harrington could develop chemistry with his wide receivers and win over a locker room that, at least in part, gave up on him last season.

Martz has enough confidence -- and as Cotsonika suggested, "some would say ego" -- not to care what others think.

"There's some real good things there," he said. "It should be fun. ..."

In San Diego. ... While most of us were focused on Brees, the mounting -- and suddenly public -- tension between A.J. Smith and Marty Schottenheimer had Dean Spanos concerned.

Brees continues to be the most sought after free-agent QB on the market. But last week, it was Spanos, the Chargers' president, doing the seeking -- as in looking to put a halt to the sniping between Smith, his general manager, and Schottenheimer, his head coach.

As first noted in an article published here on March 3, the acrimony between Smith and Schottenheimer reached a new high recently when published reports quoted Schottenheimer wondering if everyone in the organization was on the same page and how Schottenheimer lacked a strong line of communication with Smith.

Smith replied that he's in the business to win games -- he's 25-24 as the Chargers' general manager -- and not friends. According to North County Times staffer Jay Paris, he's chummy with few, with Schottenheimer certainly not among that small group.

What the pointed comments by Smith and Schottenheimer failed to do was win over a miffed Spanos.

So last Saturday, Spanos brought them together, closed his office door overlooking the Chargers' practice fields and basically told them to knock it off.

Paris reminded readers that Spanos has experience with disgruntled brass.

Some 10 years ago, his then-general manager, Bobby Beathard, and coach, Bobby Ross, meshed like oil and water.

Spanos, fresh from a Super Bowl appearance, was reluctant to intervene. When he did, it was too late for the pair to reconcile. Ross was forced out following the 1995 season and the Chargers haven't won a playoff game since.

Although Smith and Schottenheimer landed in Spanos' doghouse for their public exchanges, Paris reports they have tight-lipped about the situation since, with both declining interview requests.

Spanos, too, wasn't up to talking, although he did release a statement saying the controversy has "been dealt with, and the matter is now concluded."

Smith, who didn't hire Schottenheimer, has never enjoyed a warm relationship with the veteran coach. Schottenheimer, whose icy rapport with Redskins owner Daniel Snyder led to his firing after the 2001 season, has been out of the loop on some Chargers personnel moves.

It's known Schottenheimer feels letting Brees go is a mistake, the opposite position of Smith. It's worth noting that Brees is convinced the fact Smith didn't draft him -- and was the man responsible for Phillip Rivers' presence -- is the reason he's being allowed to move on.

What was obvious below the surface between the pair has found air. That's why Spanos was intent on clearing the air, before the critical free-agency period starts for a team he believes will go deep into next season's playoffs.

"I had several discussions with general manager A.J. Smith and coach Schottenheimer," Spanos' statement read. "I met with the G.M. and coach together. I told them in no uncertain terms that I don't pay them to be friends. I made it absolutely clear that I pay them to do their jobs.

"I expect nothing less than the highest level of professionalism from both the coach and general manager. I expect both of them to pull in the same direction at all times, toward a Super Bowl for the Chargers. The three of us left the meeting in agreement and we will now move forward, together, as an organization."

Added Chargers spokesman Bill Johnston: "The statement is the only comment we are providing. Dean, A.J. and Marty are standing behind the statement. ..."

One last note on Brees. ... In an article published Monday, SI.com's Peter King wrote: "I haven't changed my mind about the Chargers and Brees. Unless his arm is falling off and can't be surgically re-attached, you just don't let a top-tier quarterback go at age 27.

"We are watching insanity before our very eyes. Someone stop the Chargers before they go through with this. Please. ..."

In Baltimore. ... Declining to mention any names of veteran free agents, head coach Brian Billick said the Ravens have divided the potentially available quarterbacks in three categories: ones that would be brought in as the undisputed starter, ones that would compete against Kyle Boller for the starting job and ones that would simply be signed for the backup role.

According to Baltimore Sun staffer Jamison Hensley, it's assumed Brees, Culpepper and Steve McNair (who seems likely to remain a Titan despite reports of Tennessee's brief flirtation with the notion of trading for Culpepper) would be given the starting job if signed. But the Ravens have concerns about the injury status of Brees and Culpepper and don't appear to be a serious player when it comes to acquiring either.

The quarterbacks who would be given the opportunity to battle Boller in training camp probably include Kerry Collins and Brian Griese.

Others -- Gus Frerotte for example -- likely would be backups.

Collins and Griese were released this week. The Buccaneers still hope to re-sign Griese; Collins, on the other hand, appears to a distinct possibility for Baltimore.

If that's the case, Hensley suggests Boller has a solid shot at remaining the starter.

"This [quarterback search] doesn't mean we don't have faith in Kyle," Billick said. "It doesn't mean we don't think Kyle is and is going to be a very good quarterback for us. All we're saying is we wouldn't eliminate the potential of who might be in the market to add to this team.

"Our expectations are very, very high for Kyle."

That may be. But the addition of Collins could change those expectations.

As Banks wondered Friday: "How long do you think it will take before Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Fassel -- whom Collins starred for during the Giants' Super Bowl season of 2000 -- gives Collins the nod over the still-developing Boller?"

It's a fair question and I believe the answer is not very long at all. ...

In Chicago. ... As Houston Chronicle beat writer John McClain pointed out last week, head coach Lovie Smith claims the Bears have total confidence in Rex Grossman as their starting quarterback.

But according to general manager Jerry Angelo, the starting job has not been secured by Grossman, who has suffered three major injuries in three seasons in the NFL.

"We've got to get our quarterback position stabilized," Angelo said at the scouting combine. "I'm not naive enough to think we're comfortable 100 percent with our situation. We're not.

"We like what we have, but we've got to see it over a period of time."

According to Smith: "Rex is definitely our No. 1 quarterback. Rex is an excellent player. This should be the last time I have to answer that.

"It's not going to change, guys, any time on this."

And according to Chicago Tribune staffer John Mullin, the Bears would like nothing better than to deepen their ever-dicey quarterback position, but their free-agency options may be limited. Miami has yet to release Frerotte, and the Jets appeared poised Friday to trade for Washington's Patrick Ramsey.

Arizona's Josh McCown, who has started 22 games in the last three years, is the Bears' target of choice.

But McCown has drawn interest from New Orleans, Detroit, Miami and Minnesota, all able to offer prospective starting jobs and some involved in multiple scenarios. ...

And finally, in New York. ... Now that the Jets have restructured Chad Pennington's contract to ensure he'll be with them in 2006, New York Newsday staffer Bob Glauber advised readers this they're on to their next order of business: Finding his potential replacement.

Pennington's deal will keep him with the team for at least the coming season, but the Jets continue to consider trading for Ramsey and have also expressed interest in Cincinnati's Jon Kitna.

Glauber reports they're also considering drafting a quarterback with the fourth overall choice, or with a higher pick, if they trade up. Glauber added that team officials are making plans with the top quarterback prospects to work them out privately before next month's draft.

Leigh Steinberg, the agent for USC quarterback Matt Leinart, said the Jets have contacted him to set up a private workout sometime in April. Leinart is scheduled to have his pro day workout at USC on April 2. It's uncertain whether the Jets would stage the workout in California or New York.

Another person familiar with the Jets' plans told Glauber that the team also has contacted Texas quarterback Vince Young's representatives to set up a private workout. It is also expected that the Jets will work out Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler.

Whoever they wind up adding to the mix, one thing is clear: The Jets' new management team of general manager Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Eric Mangini were sending Pennington a definite message when they initially asked him to take an $8 million pay cut.

As both Banks and King suggested this week, Mangini obviously wants a different No. 1 quarterback, and New York is going to make sure it has options by the end of this offseason.

In all likelihood, Pennington will be merely an insurance policy for either Ramsey or an incoming rookie -- depending on the course they take.

Heck, based on his last two seasons and the uncertainty resulting from his shoulder issues, I wouldn't bet the ranch on Pennington beating out Kitna if that's the route taken.