News & Info/Headlines

Hey now! The football gods continue to smile on those searching for stories of interest to Fantasy owners. This week's roundup features a couple of important developing stories and the resolution of another (and the team's plans for dealing with it) -- along with a few other tidbits of interest. ...

Starting with New Orleans. ... In a Yahoo! Sports exclusive, Jason Cole reported late Friday that No. 2 overall pick and Heisman Trophy-winning running back Reggie Bush not only appears headed for a holdout, a league source says that Bush is toying with the idea of sitting out the entire season and going back in the draft in 2007 if he doesn't get his price.

"No player has ever had the kind of leverage that Reggie Bush has right now," the source told Cole. "The Saints made it clear what they were willing to do before and now we'll see if they're going to get there."

It seems unlikely the Saints will do that in time for Bush to report to training camp with the team on Thursday. Two sources told Cole that talks between the Saints and agent Joel Segal have been nearly non-existent.

On Wednesday, Mike Ornstein, who is Bush's marketing agent, told Jackson Clarion-Ledger staffer Michael Wallace that he didn't think Bush would be signed in time for camp.

One of the sources took that a step further, however, telling Cole that Segal was considering not having Bush sign at all.

Ornstein is one of two lead members of a team that handles Bush's professional matters. Ornstein said he primarily negotiates the player's endorsement deals. Segal, who will negotiate Bush's contract with the Saints, has been mum.

Ornstein is not allowed to negotiate contracts, but he is acutely aware of all of Bush's business matters.

Profootballtalk.com editor Mike Florio suggested Saturday morning that -- at first glance -- Cole's report might look like a propaganda piece written at the behest of Bush, Segal and Ornstein. But as Florio was quick to point out: "Unless Cole has undergone an organic personality change since jumping from the Miami Herald to Yahoo!, the last guy for whom he'd be in the tank is Bush."

In case you missed it, Cole was one of two reporters (along with Yahoo! Sports national correspondent Charles Robinson) breaking the story regarding Bush's shady dealings with New Era Sports & Entertainment -- a story that ultimately played a role in Bush falling to No. 2.

Florio also reminded readers that Cole likewise has raised questions regarding Bush's relationship with Ornstein and that Segal's usual media "mouthpiece" -- ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli -- has yet to suggest that Bush might sit out the entire season.

In fact, Pasquarelli's most recent reporting on the matter went no further than to suggest that Bush and his reps have no interest in using the contract that Ronnie Brown -- last year's No. 2 pick -- received from Miami last year as a starting point for their deal with the Saints.

And while Cole's story might sound like a well-placed public relations ploy planted by the Bush team in an attempt to build momentum heading into negotiations, the youngster is well-positioned to sit out if he really wants. Remember: He has already banked more than $5 million from multiple endorsement deals.

Although a year-long holdout would almost certainly curtail future earnings, that $5 million is said to be guaranteed regardless of whether Bush plays this season. That led Cole to suggest that Bush could probably sit out 2006 and still be a high pick again next year.

On the other hand, Bush has worked hard to endear himself to fans in the city after reports this spring indicated he didn't want to play in New Orleans. That effort has included multiple donations to hurricane relief.

But even though public sentiment in New Orleans might currently favor Bush over Saints curmudgeonly owner Tom Benson, my bet is it will shift back towards Benson in direct proportion to the length of any holdout -- especially given the cash Bush has hauled in without taking a single NFL snap.

Anybody who thinks the average fan in New Orleans is going to sympathize with Bush's desire to make as much as the first pick overall -- if they believe it hurts the team's chances for success this fall -- is fooling themselves. I suspect that if Bush isn't, Segal and Ornstein are at least smart enough to realize that.

Also worth noting. ... The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Bush recently bought a $1.8 million dollar home in the city.

Bottom line? A lengthy training camp holdout seems inevitable; anything longer could be disastrous for all involved. Meanwhile, as Florio summed up: "How smart do the Texans now look for telling Bush to get bent?"

In Tennessee. ... As first reported by Yahoo! Sports correspondent John Murphy (also a long-time FSP contributor whose work is prominently featured in this year's Fantasy Football Pro Forecast, DraftBook and Diehards magazines [feel free to order here]), Chris Brown, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, officially has requested the right to seek a trade, according to Brown's representatives.

The Titans received official notification of the request in a letter written by agents Wynn Silberman and Ryan Morgan and delivered to the team on Monday. This after Brown decided his long-term future in Tennessee was in doubt following a meeting between his agents and general manager Floyd Reese.

"We're waiting on a response," Silberman told Nashville Tennessean staffer Paul Kuharsky on Friday.

According to Associated Press sports writer Teresa M. Walker, the Titans, who report for training camp Thursday, declined to comment on the trade request. Reese has been working to sign the team's 10 draft picks, and was scheduled to meet Friday with the agent for Vince Young.

As Murphy first reported in early June, Brown became a bit anxious over the fact that he still had not received a contract extension. The selection LenDale White in the second round of April's and the re-signing of veteran Travis Henry further add to Brown's uneasiness.

Kuharsky reminded readers this morning that Brown is expected to be the starter this season, although a firm pecking order between Brown, Henry and White is likely to be sorted out during training camp.

"We're kind of looking at the situation down there and we're not sure he's a great fit at this point," said Silberman. "We feel he's a featured back with Pro Bowl potential and the opportunity may be better for him somewhere else in the league."

According to Murphy, league sources said that Brown's name was mentioned in a variety of possible trades, but Reese had yet to provide Brown or his new representation permission to seek a trade. Reese, who has been on vacation in recent weeks, also had not given them any indication that the team felt obligated to negotiate a new contract.

Brown entered Tennessee's most recent mini-camp as the only healthy running back among their top three.

Despite missing five games with injuries in 2004, Brown rushed for 1,067 yards with a 4.9-yard average. Dogged by questions about his durability heading into 2005, he played in 15 games (starting 14) but rushed for just 851 yards.

Neither Brown nor Henry managed a 100-yard game last season. Henry got just 88 carries to Brown's 224 and was suspended four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

Brown has put on 10 pounds since last season in hopes of increasing his durability and becoming tougher to tackle. Henry appeared to be in better shape during May and June mini-camps than he was last season.

"I feel better, I'm more confident, I'm used to the players and the system," Henry said in June. "It is just a better situation, and it is going to be better results, too."

Reese also said he liked the situation at running back in June, and downplayed Murphy's initial speculation that Brown was being shopped.

"I haven't talked to anybody about it," Reese said at the time. "It is ridiculous."

Brown said then he expected to remain a Titan, "unless they have other plans."

For those who missed it my previous look at this situation, I think Brown's desire to get out of White's way is wise. And there are plenty of teams out there in need of help at the position. Unfortunately for Brown, few are looking to fill their featured spot.

As Murphy suggested, Brown's attributes would be best served in a run-oriented scheme that favors backs who like to make one cut, move and go, as he has shown an extra burst in the open field.

Brown also has better hands than advertised (53 career receptions in 37 games).

Teams that could potentially show interest in acquiring Brown include the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. According to Murphy, the dark horse team would be the Minnesota Vikings; Brown's former position coach in college, Eric Bieniemy, is now part of the Vikings' coaching staff.

More on this one if/when developments warrant. ...

In St. Louis. ... Just as new head coach Scott Linehan was announcing Friday at a news conference that Marshall Faulk would have knee surgery and miss the 2006 season, the lights went out at the hotel it was being held in.

And as St. Louis Post-Dispatch beat writer Bill Coats suggested, that seemed appropriate, given the amount of power that had been sapped from the Rams' attack since Faulk's knee problems began to surface a few years ago.

Faulk, one of the leading all-purpose backs in NFL history, has amassed nearly 20,000 yards during his 12-year career. But he hasn't been the same since the 2001 season, the last time he rushed for more than 1,000 yards and, including his receiving numbers, topped 2,000. Still, Faulk's absence creates a significant hole in Linehan's offense.

"You can't just play one running back, because very rarely does a back stay 100 percent healthy throughout a 16-game season," Linehan said. "You've got to have two that are getting the bulk of the carries and then have a guy who specializes on third downs."

According to Coats, Tony Fisher, a free-agent pickup in the offseason, was slotted for the third-back role, and Linehan would prefer that Fisher remain in that capacity. Fisher, a 6-foot-1, 222-pound Notre Dame product, had 900 receiving yards and 880 rushing yards last year in Green Bay, where he spent his previous four NFL seasons.

He also is a valued special-teams performer.

Besides Steven Jackson, the roster lists four other backs: Paul Smith, a deep reserve for most of his six NFL seasons; Fred Russell, who played in NFL Europe this year; and rookie free agents Antoine Bagwell and J.D. Washington (Denzel's son, no less).

As Coats was quick to point out, none ranks as a legitimate contender for the backup job, which means the Rams will be scouring other teams' rosters for candidates.

"Maybe we'll be able to make some kind of an acquisition in the next week or so," Linehan said. "I don't know what's out there. ... That fits the criteria of the back we're looking for."

As noted in a previous Notebook, the most prominent -- and most local observer would say most likely -- prospect is Michael Bennett, a five-year veteran who was in Minnesota during Linehan's three seasons as the Vikings' offensive coordinator.

Bennett signed a free-agent deal with New Orleans in the offseason -- before the Saints grabbed Bush with the No. 2 overall pick.

However, given the possibility of a lengthy holdout -- and with Deuce McAllister returning from reconstructive knee surgery -- the Saints will be in no hurry to move Bennett. Indeed, his value only increases the longer New Orleans waits.

A number of teams (including Kansas City, Miami and Houston) have expressed interest in Bennett. Their interest (and perhaps that of others) will only become more acute as training camps and the preseason progress. Depth charts will begin to shake out; younger prospects will pan out or fail to do so; injuries will arise -- all likely to increase the league-wide need for veteran talent.

Bennett's best year was in 2002, when the 5-9, 202-pounder from Wisconsin rushed for 1,296 yards and added 351 receiving yards. In the subsequent three seasons, Bennett shared time with other backs. Last season, he rushed for 473 yards and had 124 receiving yards.

Meanwhile, let us not forget the Rams do have considerable wiggle room here.

"Mr. Jackson has been working for opportunity and now his time has come," Linehan said. "We've got a guy who knows that the reigns have been handed over. I'd be more concerned if we didn't have that guy at this point."

I would, too. In fact, from a Fantasy perspective, Faulk's misfortune isn't necessarily ours.

Better yet, with training camp imminent and Linehan in charge, Jackson, who turned 23 on Saturday, is feeling like a rookie again.

"I'm approaching it with a focus of saying, 'This is me getting a new beginning,'" he told Coats. "I feel like I've got a chance to start my career over."

It looked like that would actually happen last year, when former head coach Mike Martz turned over the No. 1 slot to Jackson -- then didn't use him. Jackson bristled over his limited workload: His 254 carries were exceeded by 16 other backs, 10 of whom piled up more than 300 tries.

Illness sidelined Martz after the first six games, but the Rams' approach wasn't altered appreciably under interim head coach Joe Vitt and offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild. And Jackson's frustration grew.

"For whatever reason, I wasn't getting my appropriate touches," he said. According to Coats, a large part of the explanation lies with Martz's penchant for the pass: The Rams threw the ball 62 percent of the time last season.

Substantial changes have occurred since: Linehan, former offensive coordinator in Minnesota and Miami, has replaced Martz; Faulk is no longer a factor; and Jackson is eager to hit the field after an offseason that didn't include a visit to an operating room.

Jackson, who had arthroscopic knee surgery after his final season at Oregon State and following his rookie year with the Rams, said, "First time in three years I actually had an offseason. I feel pretty good now."

That's fortunate, because Linehan is expecting the 6-foot-2, 231-pounder be his workhorse. As opposed to Martz's air-heavy attack, Linehan's offenses with the Vikings and Dolphins were reasonably balanced, with a 55-45 percent pass-to-run ration.

Miami's top two backs last year, Brown and Ricky Williams, combined for 66 more carries than Jackson and Faulk, and produced 312 more yards. Those numbers have Jackson smiling.

If Linehan is "going to use me in the way that he used Ronnie and Ricky, I feel like this can be my breakout year," Jackson said.

More importantly, Linehan believes Jackson is primed, indicating that 25 carries a game could be a viable target number for him -- a fact that is reflected in Jackson's current AntSports ADP (average draft position) -- he's ranked seventh among all running backs in 12-team mock drafts.

I would also suggest his value remains unchanged whether Bennett ultimately comes on board or not. ...

In Dallas. ... Now here's a surprise: Terrell Owens blames the media for portraying him as a selfish player, although he admits a tendency of saying things about others that he wouldn't want said about himself.

No. Who would have guessed?

In an interview with Bryant Gumbel that first aired on HBO's Real Sports on Tuesday, Owens acknowledges dishing out more criticism than he's willing to take.

"The only thing I can really think of is maybe it was the way I grew up, you know," he said. "I got picked on so much, and it's like I feel like I'm still constantly being picked on."

Owens said he doesn't think reporters are necessarily conspiring against him as much as using him "to gain viewers' attention." As a result, he believes that he is "misunderstood." He said other players have been, too, "but I feel like I have been one of the main guys who've been vilified."

Why?

"That's the million-dollar question," he said. "Why me? ... At some point it does get to me. And I can't say it enough. Dude, I'm human and that's what I'm trying to get people to understand."

Perhaps if he actually tried acting like one. ...

Meanwhile, Owens also discussed his spat with quarterback Donovan McNabb that eventually led to his release by the Eagles.

As he -- or Jason Rosenhaus (depending on the passage in question) -- wrote in a recently released book, Owens said he believes McNabb was jealous of the attention Owens was receiving in Philadelphia and that things boiled over when McNabb cursed at him in a huddle after a play. Owens said he took it as more than something said in the heat of competition.

"When I tried to address that after the game, he blew me off," Owens said. "So, that let me know it's more than just being competitive. It was more than that."

With the Cowboys opening training camp on July 28, it will be interesting to see how coaches and teammates -- and by coaches I mean Bill Parcells -- handle all the attention Owens is guaranteed to draw.

According to Florio, last week's media blitz is causing at least one league insider to predict that, based on some of Owens' comments, it is the "beginning of the end" of Owens' short-term tenure in Dallas.

Appearing on Sirius NFL Radio (also on Tuesday), Owens discussed his role on his new team's offense. "I feel like when the ball needs to be in a playmaker's hands, I feel like [Parcells] will make that call. I have all the confidence in the world that he'll use me to the best of my ability regardless of who is out there," Owens said.

Does that mean his feelings will be hurt if that doesn't happen? And if his feelings are hurt, does that mean he'll once again feel free to express those hurt feelings in as negative a fashion as possible?

After all, history tells us just about any slight -- real of perceived -- becomes carte blanche for Owens, allowing him to lash out at those who might (or might not) oppose him with a vengeance.

Again, Florio summed it up best by reminding readers: "When T.O. isn't happy, his primary objective is to make as many of the folks around him as possible not happy, either. ..."

Yeah buddy. ... Just ask McNabb or Andy Reid. In fact, somebody did just that when the Eagles (the first team to do so) opened training camp for rookies and select veterans on Thursday.

Asked if he read Owens' book, Reid quickly shot back: "No. I was here."

And speaking to reporters after practice Friday, McNabb called Owens' autobiography a "children's book," mocked the star receiver for saying he was misquoted in his own book and disputed some of the written allegations.

"It won't sell unless he's talking about me," McNabb said, adding that he didn't read the book and is waiting to play himself in the movie. ...

One last note on this one: Randy Moss put his two cents into the Owens-McNabb feud in an ESPN radio interview last week.

Moss said T.O. was too worried about the money Moss made and said the Eagles quarterback was too worried about losing the spotlight.

"McNabb in a certain sense didn't want to share the fame," said Moss on the "Dan Patrick Show." "And I really believe that. And by T.O. putting in his book and coming out of his mouth and saying it, I think it's believable."

Moss was puzzled that anyone would want to break up the great Eagles connection of McNabb to Owens. Moss took a shot at Owens, too, saying he should have worried about himself when he was trying to get more money.

"Any person worrying about the other man's money means you're not focusing on what you need to be focusing on," said Moss. ...

In Tampa Bay. ... As St. Petersburg Times beat man Rick Stroud framed it last Tuesday: "All is finally right having to go left in the Bucs offense."

The switch to lefty quarterback Chris Simms as the starter gave Tampa Bay an entire offseason to run plays in a reverse fashion, from bootlegs to play-action passes. Simms started the last 11 games of 2005, but head coach Jon Gruden admits there is a big adjustment when game-planning for a southpaw signal-caller.

"(Practice) is basically set up around the quarterback from an offensive standpoint, especially when you're left-handed," Gruden said. "You've got to groom and groove all your play-action passes and your movement throws for the lefty. All the ball-handling needs to be practiced specifically.

"I was there with [Joe] Montana and Steve Young," Gruden said of his 1990 season as a 49ers offensive assistant. "When Steve came in the game, the whole playbook flips in a reverse fashion. You've got to really make concessions for a left-handed guy, and it's double learning for some of the other guys because Pass 14 Bim is now Pass 15 Bim.

"The ball-handling is different, and a lot of things have changed. As he has become the starter, we featured the things he does, and the things we're emphasizing goes hand-in-hand with him being left-handed and our quarterback.

"I think all of that adds up to him being way further ahead than he's ever been this time of year."

Stroud reminded readers that Simms' 12 starts are the fewest of the team's quarterbacks, excluding rookie Bruce Gradkowski. Jay Fiedler has 60 NFL starts and Tim Rattay 16.

"There's certain things, let's be honest, he does differently than previous quarterbacks here," Gruden admitted. "One of the things he needs to improve at is he's taking more and more snaps. He took about 850 of them in the last 14 practices.

"So we're pleased he's gaining experience, and he is one of the hardest-working people I've been around."

In New York. ... Things could get dicey for third-year man Eli Manning when Giants training camp opens July 28. With Plaxico Burress, Jeremy Shockey, Amani Toomer, Tiki Barber and rookie Sinorice Moss, the Giants' offense looks as loaded as ever.

Manning isn't sure there will be enough balls to go around.

"Probably not," he told New York Daily News staffer Ralph Vacchiano this week. "But I'm not complaining. I think everybody's looking forward to being able to put a lot of points on the board."

The Giants put up plenty last season. They were the third-highest scoring team in the NFL, averaging 26.4 points per game. And Manning, in his first full season as a starter, threw for 3,762 yards and 24 touchdowns.

But as Vacchiano reminded readers, a slump in the final six games and an awful 23-0 shutout playoff loss at home to Carolina took much of the luster off those numbers and the Giants' 11-5 record. That's why when Manning looks around at all his returning weapons and the addition of the speedy Moss, he's convinced the Giants' offense can do even more.

"I think so," Manning said. "Looking back at the offense, even some of the earlier games in the season there were a lot of missed opportunities for some big plays and some touchdowns. So I think we can be better, get in a better rhythm and be more consistent."

The addition of the 5-8 Moss, a second-round pick out of Miami, has excited many of the Giants' veterans, who were in awe of his speed and shiftiness at the team's mini-camp in June. But he'll have to fight for attention with Burress (76 catches, 1,214 yards, seven touchdowns), Shockey (65-891-7), Toomer (60-684-7), Barber (54-530-2) and even Tim Carter (10-186), who will battle Moss for the No.3 receiver slot if healthy.

Meanwhile, Manning will have to find a way to keep his receivers happy and distribute the ball.

"I guess that can be a problem sometimes," he said. "We have some guys that are used to getting the ball seven or eight times a game. They want the ball in their hands because they feel if they get enough touches they're going to make enough big plays to win the game.

"We have some players who can do that, who are game-changers and playmakers. It's my job to try and keep them happy and get the ball in their hands."

In a related note. ... Hall of Fame inductee and FOX Sports analyst Troy Aikman recently criticized Manning's receiving corps for conducting their off-season workouts on their own and not with the franchise quarterback. Aikman said that when he was playing for the Cowboys, he continually refined his timing and chemistry with his receivers, such as Michael Irvin, by running routes all year long.

Manning dismissed Aikman's comments this week and said that he, his receivers and the Giants will be just fine when training camp begins.

"I think it's fine," Manning said. "We got enough work together during some of the [optional workouts] and mini camp and last year and stuff. We had enough work, and when we get to training camp, we'll have a whole month there, we'll be on the same page and we'll be fine. ..."

In Pittsburgh. ... Verron Haynes has been working in the offseason in hopes of moving up from his role as the third-down back to being a starter with the Steelers. He is currently second on the depth chart behind Willie Parker, who has 1,202 yards and four touchdowns last season.

"I'm working hard in Atlanta for whenever the opportunity presents itself," Haynes told the Macon Telegraph this week. "I'm going in there, preparing like I am the starter. This year may be an opportunity for me to showcase my talent as far as getting out there and showing I can take a pounding and carry the load."

In order to earn a starting position, Haynes has been working out at a gym in Atlanta, as well as waking up at 4 a.m. to go running on his own. He and his teammates report to camp on July 28.

"As the old saying goes, you have to dress for the job you want, not the one you have," Haynes said. "I can see it and I want it, so I have been preparing harder."

While it seems very unlikely Haynes will actually push Parker for the starting job, he'll definitely push Duce Staley for the goal-line, short-yardage role left open when Jerome Bettis retired.

Remember, head coach Bill Cowher was most impressed with Haynes' work last season. ...

And finally, in Carolina. ... Charlotte Observer columnist Scott Fowler is big on Drew Carter and suggested this week the talented young receiver has such great speed that it's going to be difficult to keep him off the field if he stays healthy.

Fowler went on to advise us not to be surprised if the Panthers use more three-wide sets to get Carter out there. He added: "It won't be a total shock if Carter started some games in front of Keyshawn Johnson."

While it might not shock Fowler, I suspect such a development would certainly catch Johnson off guard.

That's it for this week's Notebook. I'll check back in again next Sunday, with a majority of NFL training camps underway.

In the meantime, keep an eye on the News & Views section of this site for late-breaking news and other tidbits of interest. Watch the Headline News section for more in-depth reviews of current events -- including the Fantasy Notebook.