You have to wonder what Chris Simms is thinking. You can bet that his father, Phil Simms, isn’t too happy with head coach Jon Gruden after the Bucs gave Jeff Garcia the same contract ($7 million for two seasons) that Simms is playing for while also securing the rights to former Denver starter Jake Plummer.

Tampa Bay should have a healthy quarterback competition this summer.

Yes, Plummer has announced he plans to retire rather than play in Tampa Bay. But the Bucs and Broncos wrote a pretty interesting contract before the NFLPA got wind of what was happening. If Plummer reports this month to the Bucs, Denver receives a fourth-round pick. But if Plummer doesn’t report in March, the compensation is a seventh-rounder.

This is a very interesting trade language, and one designed to prevent Plummer from simply asking to be released from Denver and then signing with the Houston Texans, where his former offensive coordinator, Gary Kubiak, is the head coach. That is what Plummer wanted to do and exactly what the Broncos wanted to prevent.

Basically, the Bucs will own Plummer’s rights and if he doesn’t report, they will place him on the reserve list. If Plummer ever wants to play in the NFL again, he will have to deal with the Bucs, who could either activate him or trade him.

Believe it or not, the Bucs have enough salary-cap room to keep all three quarterbacks. They currently plan to do exactly that and see what happens before considering a trade later in the year.

For Simms, he now knows for sure that the Bucs like Garcia based on what he was paid and that maybe he shouldn’t have signed that extension late last season. I mean, Simms is hardly guaranteed anything now except for a lot of competition for the starting quarterback spot.

 

Quality of life influences Dielman

 

The Chargers kept guard Kris Dielman, who settled for a $6.5 million average after rejected a $7 million average from the Seattle Seahawks. Basically, Dielman decided he’d rather live and play in San Diego than in Seattle, and who can argue with that reasoning when the money was so close.

Still, what’s fascinating is that Seattle was going to pay Dielman more money than it was willing to pay All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson last season. Seattle completely misjudged how much room they would have this season and where the salary numbers for offensive linemen would be in 2007. It was horrible planning and cap management by the Seahawks and magnified by the club’s pursuit of Dielman.

Small market?

 

There are a few NFL teams wondering how can Bills owner Ralph Wilson continue to complain about his small-market stature and his desperate need for revenue sharing after his team pays two offensive linemen, Langston Walker and Derrick Dockery, a total of $70 million. Walker, who would have been paid the minimum by many NFL teams, received a $10 million signing bonus from the Bills.

Dockery is a very good run blocker, but Walker, a right tackle, was a full-time starter on an offensive line that allowed 72 quarterback sacks last season.

The Cleveland Browns gave former Bengals guard Eric Steinbach a better contract than what Hutchinson received last season, including $17 million guaranteed. It’s difficult to believe all these guards are as good or better than Hutch.

 

Serious upgrade

The Patriots have definitely improved their defense with the multi-talented ex-Baltimore linebacker Adalius Thomas. Thomas chose New England over San Francisco, believing the Pats have a better chance of reaching the Super Bowl than the 49ers. That makes sense.

 

The Patriots also signed Jacksonville tight end Kyle Brady, who they believe remains a top five blocker at his position. If they can pry Wes Welker away from the Dolphins, it will be a great acquisition. Welker is an excellent special teams player, but also has a chance to be a full-time receiver. There aren’t many tougher all-around players in the NFL than Welker.

Two things are known about the AFC playoff picture. The Indianapolis Colts are back and will receive a first-round bye. And, two, the Baltimore Ravens will be scoreboard watching this Sunday, praying that the Seattle Seahawks beat the San Diego Chargers. I’m also pretty sure that Mike Holmgren is hoping for that same result.

Otherwise, there are still a lot of unknowns in the AFC playoff picture.

Based on Monday night’s performance against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Colts appear to be a lock to win their final two games against Houston and Miami, thus securing one of the conference’s top two seeds and the first-round bye.

The Chargers currently hold the No. 1 seed but they must beat Seattle and Arizona to keep ahead of the pack.

The Ravens, who travel to Pittsburgh this Sunday before hosting pesky Buffalo, believe they can win those two games. If they do, and San Diego falters just once, Baltimore would earn a first-round bye. How’s that?

Well, should Baltimore and San Diego finish with the same record when the regular-season ends, the Ravens hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their 16-13 win over the Chargers in Week 4. The Colts hold the advantage over the Ravens, even though both are 11-3, based on a better record against common opponents. That’s why the Ravens were rooting for the Bengals on Monday. Baltimore has lost to two teams -- Cincinnati and Denver -- that Indianapolis beat.

Right now, New England (10-4) owns the fourth seed in the AFC, but the Patriots have two difficult road games during the holidays. They travel to Jacksonville, who remains alive for a wild-card spot, and then Nashville to face rookie Vince Young and a 7-7 Tennessee team.

If the Patriots beat Jacksonville, it should guarantee the winner of Sunday’s Cincinnati-Denver winner of a wild-card spot. If Denver wins, they would be 8-4 against conference foes, by far the best record among teams that have not secured a division title.

The other spot could go to the surprising New York Jets. The Jets travel to Miami and then host the Oakland Raiders. If they win out, I say they will get a wild-card spot. As physical and tough as Jacksonville is, the Jaguars simply can’t be counted on when it matters most. The Jaguars can beat the Patriots, but I wouldn’t bet on it. But it is something of a mini-playoff game, similar to the Bengals-Broncos’ matchup.

Pro Bowl thoughts

The first thing I noticed was that Giants quarterback Eli Manning wasn’t selected, but the three players (or draft selections) which were traded for him did. How remarkable is that? The Chargers ought to give GM A.J. Smith a raise.

Quarterback Philip Rivers, who wasn’t good enough for Giants GM Ernie Accorsi, made it in his first year as a starter (this is Eli’s third such starting season), as well as outside linebacker Shawne Merriman (despite missing four games for a steroid suspension) and kicker Nate Kaeding.

For the most part, I thought the majority of the selections were no-brainers. It’s difficult to judge interior linemen and interior defensive linemen. I do believe Giants middle linebacker Antonio Pierce deserved it over Seattle’s Lofa Tatupu. Even Minnesota’s E.J. Henderson is a much more physically-imposing linebacker than Tatupu.

You can’t argue with the NFC’s running backs, but I will anyway. Frank Gore definitely deserved it; he’s carried the 49ers this season. Nothing against Tiki Barber or Steven Jackson of the Rams, but Philadelphia’s Brian Westbrook would have been on my team over those two. Westbrook has 1,756 yards from scrimmage; he’s a bigger playmaker to me.

Two players got the shaft in the AFC. Jets receiver Laveranues Coles has 87 receptions and a 12.2-yard average and he should have been one of the four receivers selected; in three or four games, Coles helped secure wins for the Jets. He was the NFL’s leading wide receiver (28 receptions) on third down plays.

Also, Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha has eight interceptions and his play is one reason why Oakland has been much improved on defense this season, ranking first against the pass and fourth overall. He’s definitely more deserving than Baltimore’s Chris McAlister.

The other receiver I liked was Seattle’s Darrell Jackson, who has more third-down catches than any of the four NFC starters. Doesn’t being clutch, plus carrying a 15.2-yard average and 10 touchdowns, count for anything?

The only other stunner is that overweight defensive tackle Kris Jenkins of the Panthers was selected as the third interior defensive linemen.

Suspension warranted

The Bears suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson for Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. Johnson was arrested for the third time last Thursday and then a day after he apologized to the team and its fans, Johnson was out clubbing past 1:30 a.m. with his good friend Willie B. Posey, who ended up getting shot and killed. How many hangouts do you go dancing in where your night ends up with a buddy getting murdered?

You can call it bad luck or whatever, but Johnson hasn’t been hanging with the right people once he leaves Halas Hall. His teammates have been supporting him and the Bears seem willing to accept him long-range as long as he undergoes counseling.

Johnson can blame the automatic weapons found in his house on his dead friend, who lived with him, but there are too many instances in his life were he’s crossed the line going back to his college days at the U. of Washington.

You may have heard NBC analyst John Madden rip San Diego defensive lineman Igor Olshansky for punching Denver center Tom Nalen, a Pro Bowl player, in last Sunday night's game.

Olshansky was ejected from the game, given a 15-yard penalty and greeted by Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer with a tongue-lashing when arriving on the sidelines.

But two days later, the NFL viewed the altercation totally different. The league fined Nalen $25,000 for blocking down on Olshansky's knees on a scrimmage play that had Denver quarterback Jake Plummer spike the football to stop the clock. No Denver lineman moved on the play except for Nalen, who went head-first after Olshansky's knees.

Yes, it looked like a typical go-after-the-knees block that has made Denver's offensive linemen the scourge of the NFL ever since Alex Gibbs showed up to teach the technique a dozen years ago. The blocking style helped the Broncos and running back Terrell Davis to two Super Bowls and one MVP for Davis in 1997-98 seasons.

Olshansky was fined only $10,000 by the NFL, which pretty much saw him as a victim.

The Broncos are pretty upset about Nalen's fine. Their first defense is that on the previous play Olshansky appears to be head-butting the Denver center. On the play in question, Denver receiver Rod Smith did run a route and Plummer reportedly had the option to throw to Smith, if he was open, or spike the ball. That would be Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan's argument if he was ever asked to testify on the subject.

Without question, Nalen will appeal his fine.

And, yes, Nalen could be accused of retaliation. But to the league, which is determined to clean up its game on and off the field, the Nalen block appeared to be totally unnecessary and potentially damaging to Olshansky's career.

            The Cowboys are too good to be 2-2. That’s what I believe, anyway.

            But you have to tip your hat to the Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff and to quarterback Donovan McNabb. The Eagles out-schemed the Cowboys and McNabb performed marvelously under pressure and made touchdown throws to virtual unknowns that many thought were not possible.

 

            McNabb correctly predicted the cornerback blitz on Sunday, a Dallas defensive play that isolated rookie receiver Hank Baskett on a safety. McNabb bought himself enough time in the pocket to complete a 50-yard throw. It was the play of the game, second only to McNabb’s earlier touchdown throw to Reggie Brown, who was covered by both Dallas safeties. Pro Bowl safety Roy Williams lost the flight of the ball because he basically did a 180-degree turn, the unnecessary movement just enough to get him out of position and prevent him from either intercepting or tipping the ball away.

 

            Jim Johnson’s defense shot both center-guard gaps to get into Drew Bledsoe’s face all game long. Bledsoe was under siege most of the time. Still, Bledsoe made the big throw that had the Cowboys in position to tie the game at the end. Eagles safety Michael Lewis admitted he had no choice but to drag the intended receiver down for a 57-yard pass interference penalty.

 

            This is partly why Bill Parcells is sticking with Bledsoe. Yes, maybe Tony Romo could have escaped some of Philadelphia’s pressure. But would he have made all the throws and won the game?

 

            The bottom line in Dallas is that Parcells knows that if he rushes now to bench Bledsoe, the old quarterback may retire on the spot. I mean pack his bags and retire and with his wife and kids. He doesn’t need the money.

 

Bledsoe is a good man and he deserves every opportunity. If he can’t get the job done, he’ll realize it when Parcells does. The fans in Dallas, starting with Terrell Owens, believe Bledsoe has had bad games in the two Dallas defeats.

 

          We are assuming Bledsoe will beat the Texans on Sunday. His deciding game will be Monday night at home against the Giants. He and the Cowboys must beat the Giants.

 

Protecting Rex

 

            Yes, the Bears sure do look unbeatable. And there are some interesting statistics to support their 5-0 start.

 

First, quarterback Rex Grossman has been sacked the fewest times, or 2.6 percent of the time he drops back to throw. With the protection, Grossman has delivered. The Bears are converting 48 percent of their third-and-long plays or second-best in the NFL thus far. They trail only Peyton Manning and the Colts. Last season, despite winning 11 games, they were next-to-last in the league on third-and-long. Only the 49ers were worse.

 

Speaking of third-down conversions, the Carolina Panthers are 11 of 48 on the season after going 0-for-11 against mighty Cleveland on Sunday. Only – guess who? – the Raiders are worse.

 

Moss on the move?

 

            Ok, the Raiders have had internal discussions about trading unhappy receiver Randy Moss, who is simply frustrated with offensive coordinator Tom Walsh’s offense. But it doesn’t look like Moss will be traded because the Raiders need to get more than simply a first-round draft pick as compensation.

 

            But you have to wonder if the Seahawks and Falcons wouldn’t rather have Moss than Deion Branch and Ashley Lelie, respectively. The one team that Moss would help immediately is the Pittsburgh Steelers. He would open up that offense and definitely help Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben is currently on his worse streak as a pro, losing three straight while producing zero touchdown passes with seven interceptions.

 

            Former Vikings coach Mike Tice has pointed out those same possibilities to the people in Jacksonville. Moss does force teams to account for him everywhere, whether he’s giving effort or not. But teams like the Steelers don’t make trades like that. Neither do the Chicago Bears.

 

Bargain shoppers

 

Without a salary-cap hit, the Broncos simply went with the cheaper punter in Paul Ernster, whose salary is $302,590. Todd Sauerbrun’s salary for this season is $1.39 million or $82,059 every week over the course of a 17-week season. Even if Sauerbrun needed steroids or some other illegal supplement to help heal some injuries, how many teams want to risk a punter with two strikes against him?

 

Jets groaning

 

When you lose 41-0, like the Jets did on Sunday, there’s going to be a lot of moaning and groaning. Well, Laveranues Coles popped off Sunday about his lack of playing time and the face he only had three receptions for 19 yards. He entered the game against Jacksonville tied for the NFL receptions lead with 30. But how can you have any sympathy for Coles, who has had 50 passes thrown his way in five games? That’s the third-highest amount in the NFL behind only Torry Holt and Marvin Harrison.

 

Birthday boy

 Happy Birthday to Brett Favre, who turns 37 today. But probably feels like 47, what with the pinched neck nerve and those four losses. Plus, Coach Mike McCarthy isn’t giving his players the week off like Mike Holmgren did last week in Seattle.

Jack Del Rio and FOX Sports' Jimmy Johnson have a special bond. It's a solid relationship even though Johnson was the coach who cut Del Rio, basically ending his playing career.

"It was one of the toughest cuts I ever made," Johnson said recently, "but it was the right thing to do and Jack eventually understood."

Del Rio immediately went into coaching and after four years as an NFL assistant became the Jaguars head coach. Owner Wayne Weaver, who had grown weary of Tom Coughlin's autocratic approach, wanted a fresh face. He also wanted a bargain-basement coach. Del Rio simply wanted an opportunity and based on last season and the first two games of this season, he has paid dividends to the franchise and the Jaguars.

The first positive you notice about the Jaguars is that they play as hard as Jack did as a player. Instinctive and tough.

It might have been the lowest-scoring game in Monday Night history, but the Jags 9-0 dumping of the Steelers wasn't ugly. It was physical, relentless football. And the Jags were the last men standing.

"I don't think I've seen a defensive game like that since the '85 Bears," Terry Bradshaw told me today. "Or that Baltimore team that won the Super Bowl. There was some hitting in that game."

The Steelers managed only 26 rushing yards, the lowest total in Bill Cowher's 15-year tenure.

Del Rio is not a media-friendly coach in Jacksonville. Three seasons ago, he was ripped for having an axe and a chopping block in the locker room. His punter sliced up his leg. Del Rio could be accused of being a little over-zealous in the motivation department.

But one of his greatest qualities is that he's secure in what he believes. He signed ex-Minnesota coach Mike Tice to coach his offensive linemen when a lot of coaches wouldn't. He has another head coach in Dave Campo working with his defense, especially the secondary. Circumstances undid Tice in Minnesota and Campo in Dallas, but these two coaches know a lot of football. In two games, Tice has figured out protection schemes against two very solid and active defensive fronts (Cowboys and Steelers) to free up Bryon Leftwich, who has the slow delivery and rock-solid feet.

Well, Leftwich had enough time in both games to stand tall and make the necessary plays to win. Del Rio loves his quarterback because he doesn't turn it over and has tremendous character.

There is no doubt that Del Rio has a bright future. He can also opt out of his contract, which could put him in serious play if the right, big-money job opens up.

Raiders miss out on Volek

Although the Raiders were linked to Tennessee quarterback Billy Volek, they were never serious about parting with a high draft pick. Volek forced the Titans' hand to deal him to San Diego, where they received less compensation, but who can blame him? The Chargers have a brighter future than the Raiders right now, considering offensive coordinator Tom Walsh still thinks old-man Jeff George can play. George has lost his fastball, although he may be able to throw for 15 minutes in a game. The Raiders were bad last season, but at least they could throw the ball and Randy Moss had a couple touchdowns by now. Lamont Jordan hasn't been a factor, either.

Bad analogy

Denver coach Mike Shanahan, who gets paid for his football decisions, put an interesting spin on his reluctance to dump starting quarterback Jake Plummer for rookie Jay Cutler. Shanahan compared it to the time after John Elway when he elevated rookie Brian Griese, who wasn't liked by his teammates, over Bubby Brister, who was basically a backup. The Broncos and Griese went down in flames, finishing 4-12.

The only difference is that Denver's veterans do like Cutler (they also respect Plummer). It's almost like Shanahan won't make a quarterback change until he takes a serious poll of the locker room. This from a coach who keeps his running backs guessing on who will start opening day. Go figure.

Talk is cheap . . . Winslow isn't

The way tight end Kellen Winslow keeps popping off about not being on the field on obvious passing downs, you can bet two things: he will be in most third-down packages this week and if he isn't, Mo Carthon may not be the offensive coordinator in Cleveland next season.

Based on first impressions, Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer has to be shaking in his cleats. Granted, Jake has earned millions so why worry about rookie Jay Cutler playing ahead of him?

It’s been awhile since I witnessed an NFL preseason debut as solid as Cutler’s was Friday night against the Lions in Detroit. In fact, the last one I remember being so convincing — then Rams offensive coordinator Mike Martz predicted the outcome — was Kurt Warner’s performance here in 1999. Warner dried up coach Vermeil’s tears a week after losing Trent Green with a knee injury.

Warner, the former Arena League star, was almost flawless in his preseason start against the Lions and by the end of that spectacular season he was holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy. So, don’t tell me it’s impossible for Cutler to be the starter and end up winning this season.

“He’s looked like this in practice every day, too,” said Denver’s veteran safety John ####.

We may not be talking John Elway and Brett Favre yet, but Cutler is very close on arm strength. But what was more impressive was his improved quick release, his poise — there was a certain calmness about this kid — and his pocket sense. He used his legs well and he was patient on allowing some pass routes to develop.

In the end, Cutler was 16 of 22 for 192 yards and a touchdown. He also had one drop and another incompletion because the receiver stepped out of bounds after an 18-yard gain. Basically, Cutler’s stats were better than the combined numbers of Martz’s new quarterback stable in Detroit: Jon Kitna, Dan Orlovsky and Josh McCown.

“He played very well,” coach Mike Shanahan said of Cutler. “He executed the offense. He showed a lot of poise and overall did an excellent job.”

Cutler was happy with his debut. He admitted to being a little nervous, but he also said he wasn’t surprised that he played as well as he did.

“Both teams were pretty vanilla out there on offense and defense,” Cutler said. “It will be a lot different in the regular season. Everything will be faster.”

How does he know what it’s going to be like, being a rookie?

“Well, everyone’s told me it’s going to be a lot different,” he said, smiling.

Remember, Shanahan moved up in the draft in order to select Cutler, who might have been the quarterback the Lions overlooked. The Lions had a lot of needs and rookie linebacker Ernie Sims did play very well. But the Lions still need a franchise quarterback to emerge.

Could Vanderbilt’s Cutler really start this season?

“That’s why (Shanahan) drafted him,” another GM said in an email.

Of course, this GM was really emailing me to needle me about saying so many glowing things about Chicago’s Rex Grossman, who had a horrible game against the 49ers Friday night. That’s how fickle this NFL business is.

Demotions in Detroit

The big story in Detroit has been the relegation of wide receivers Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, two first-round busts thus far, to the third team. The two are fighting for their NFL lives.

Rogers, a hometown favorite from Michigan State, heard cheers when he finally entered the game. A few plays later, he lost his balance while lining up, leading to a five-yard illegal motion penalty.

Williams, however, made the catch of the game, a 24-yarder that set up a Detroit touchdown. He had to jump and use his body to shield Denver cornerback Roc Alexander from the pass. It was the kind of catch he made routinely while at USC. Later in the game, Alexander returned the favor by dislodging Williams from a reception with a perfectly-timed hit.

Based on one game, Rogers could be the odd receiver out. Roy Williams looked very good with the first unit and the other starter is Corey Bradford. The Lions also plan to keep rookie Shaun Bodiford. Then, there is ex-Ram Mike Furrey, Eddie Drummond and Glenn Martinez. It seems improbable the Lions will simply release Rogers, but anything is possible these days.

Before leaving the Falcons’ $11 million condo facility at the team’s top-flight Flowery Branch facility Wednesday night, I bumped into former NBA star Magic Johnson. He was checking into the guest suite next door to owner Arthur Blank’s room.

Johnson loves football despite the fact that his pro hometown, Los Angeles, is without the NFL. The former Laker has become a big USC fan.

“Every year I’ve been bringing in motivational guys to speak and meet with the players,” Falcons GM Rich McKay said. “I think it’s great for someone like Mike Vick to spend some time with Magic, who has experienced so much as a celebrity, as a star, and try to relate it to his own life.”

At the end of the evening practice, Falcons coach Jim Mora invited Michael Wallin, 35, to run into the team huddle. Wallin has been a regular at most practices at training camp.

“He screams out every players’ stats and seems to know something about everybody. He’s been a hoot,” said Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney. “I’m sure there a 100 guys like him at the Cowboys’ practices. He’s been yelling for two weeks now.”

Why I like the NFC South

There is a debate in the NFC right now on which division is the strongest overall and my vote goes to the NFC South despite the defensive shortcomings of the New Orleans Saints. Reggie Bush, Drew Brees and the return of Deuce McAllister should at least make the Saints very exciting on offense.

“I know our division is tough, but I understand the hype over the (NFC East),” said Carolina head coach John Fox, whose previous job was as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. “It’s hard to compare. They have the big markets and Dallas has T.O. But we’re going to find out this season who is the best because we all play the East during the regular season.”

The Panthers have critical home games against the Cowboys and the Giants, a team they whipped in the playoffs last season. The Giants, remember, are the defending East champions.

“I think it’s difficult for anybody to say right now who is really the best,” Falcons head coach Jim Mora.

Just consider this: the top three teams in the South all have elite pass-rushers with the addition of ex-New York Jet John Abraham with the Falcons. The Panthers have the game’s resident athletic freak, Julius Peppers, and the Bucs have Simeon Rice.

The way the schedule breaks this season, the South also plays the AFC North, meaning the Steelers and Bengals, plus the improving Ravens, are on every team’s schedule.

“Whoever wins our division will be battle-tested and ready for the playoffs,” Fox said. “Our division and the East, because we all play each other, might have a tough time having two 11-win teams like we did last season.”

And if the East and South beat each other up, Fox realizes that if the Seahawks and Bears are as good as they were last season, they both will have a better shot at gaining home-field advantage for the NFC championship game.

Bears have interest in Lelie

No team seems interested in the Raiders’ Jerry Porter while the Bears still seem to be fishing around Denver receiver Ashley Lelie.

The Broncos want a high pick, first or second-rounder for Lelie, while the Bears have offered a fourth-round pick. The inclusion of defensive end Michael Haynes, the Bears’ No. 1 pick in 2003, shouldn’t be that tempting to the Broncos because of his bad back and his lack of production in Chicago.

The Falcons aren’t interested in either player despite the loss of receiver Brian Finneran for the season.

Mora said on Wednesday that he’s considering using cornerback DeAngelo Hall as a receiver.

“Depending on the flow o####ame, say there are a bunch of three-and-outs for our defense, we might be able to get him eight to nine offensive plays a game,” Mora said. “It’s not that DeAngelo is asking for this. I simply believe he can do so many special things when he has the football. And using him as a receiver, you can control more of what he’s going to do as opposed as to using him as a punt returner. A lot of bad things can happen on punts.”

However, if Hall is needed a lot on defense, he many never see the field on offense.

Making Mora laugh

One of the first things I told Jim Mora today was that I know one general manager who would select Michael Vick over Peyton Manning if he had to choose between those two quarterbacks.

Mora laughed when told the GM’s name.

 “No question Michael is very special, and he’s having a very good camp so far, but he will only be a footnote as a quarterback if he doesn’t win a Super Bowl,” Mora said.

In my book, the same could be said of Manning if he never wins a title. Then again, many clubs believe the Colts have the league’s best overall talent and are geared to win this year’s Super Bowl.

Apologies to Thompson

My apologies to Green Bay GM Ted Thompson who insists that the Rams never called inquiring about trading backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and that the Packers would never be interested in the Harvard passer.

Another thought on Green Bay ... the tension that pervaded the building when Mike Sherman was the head coach is gone. The little people, the secretaries, those in the Pro Shop, enjoy the new working atmosphere under Thompson and new head coach Mike McCarthy. This is a bigger deal in Green Bay because it is such a small city.

“It was never a good working relationship between Ted and Coach Sherman because no matter how much Ted tried to open a dialogue with him, it never happened,” said a Packers’ source. “There simply wasn’t enough give-and-take between the two. And all Ted wanted to do was to help him and improve the team.”

Bill Belichick doesn't speak much in the off-season, but even he wanted the NFL world to know that the New England Patriots would never consider trading a talented, rugged player like TE Daniel Graham for Denver receiver Ashley Lelie, who is a star only in his own mind. Yes, the Broncos want to dump Lelie, who had one touchdown reception last season. The Bears could use Lelie's speed to help open up their running game.

No place like home

It wasn't the hospital food, because Big Ben really isn't eating solids quite yet. No, Ben Roethlisberger simply wanted out of Pittsburgh's Mercy Hospital in order to rehabilitate at home with the help of his sister and stepmother. It makes sense. You don't have to pay for TV service at home, either, plus there's more privacy.

A Trojan horse

Although there has been a lot of public posturing by USC, the university will be happy to play in a refurbished Los Angeles Coliseum as long as their rental agreement is a fair one. The Trojans have been the main tenant ever since the Raiders returned to Oakland in 1995 and have played before sellout crowds during Coach Pete Carroll's national-championship run. Granted, as many as 20,000 fans will be displaced in a "new" Coliseum, but the university can use the VIP and luxury box seating. What the Trojans want, though, is to receive a percentage of those revenues, something the NFL may not want to totally share.

Let him go

Isn't it time for Bengals coach Marvin Lewis to simply release troubled receiver Chris Henry? The kid may have some talent, but now that he has been charged for buying alcohol for underage females, I think he's proven to be the worst of role models. Lewis needs to take a stand and prove to his players and fans that character does count for something.

The Broncos wisely back-loaded the $40 million contract to ex-Packer receiver Javon Walker, who is rehabbing from a torn ACL.

If Walker is the player he thinks he is, then he will cash out big time in 2007 and 2008. If he fails this season in Denver, the Broncos could cut him loose without taking a huge salary-cap hit.

Of course, what this contract proves about the Broncos is that owner Pat Bowlen had a cash freeze this off-season. Even with a huge salary cap increase, most in the league knew that Denver would not be a free spending team during free agency. It’s difficult to know why that was, considering the Broncos are so well supported by their fans.

Also, the Broncos figure to keep unhappy receiver Ashley Lelie, who has little value on the street. Lelie simply hasn’t been productive enough for someone claiming to have No. 1 skills.

Advice for Texans

If Houston owner Bob McNair is going to be more involved in major personnel decisions, he would be smart to replace GM Charley Casserly with Ron Hill, whose talent evaluations built the Falcons into a playoff team. Hill knows talent and made very few personnel mistakes when drafting in Atlanta.

Let’s be honest about what happened in Houston. Yes, GM Charley Casserly could have remained with the Texans this season, but not as the general manager. He could have been director of college scouting or pro personnel director of the Texans, which essentially was a demotion. In fact, owner Bob McNair might have kept Casserly employed for the next 10 seasons, but not as the GM. Choose your own interpretation: was that a firing, a demotion or a resignation?

 

Steelers never considered USC back

Although many mock drafts had USC running back LenDale White going to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team never considered him with their first-round pick.

“The coaches were scared of him,” said one Steeler executive. “A lot of people thought he could replace Jerome Bettis for us, but our coaches and scouts weren’t thinking that way.”