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Home to a half Mexican who now lives in Silverdale, WA and who supports the Hawks, Sonics and Mariners along with the alma mater (WSU). I also post wacky links, pictures of insanely hot women and what have you (if you don't want to read my ramblings), so enjoy.


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designs


Tuesday, March 29, 2005
FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT



Apparently some poor bastard is stuck in rehab with Pat O'Brien.

Also, NFL RUMORZ~

*Former Seahawks DLE Chike Okeafor’s old teammates didn’t take too kindly to his comments after signing with the Cardinals that there weren’t enough players on the Seattle roster who shared his day-to-day passion for the game. But sources close to the team believe there was a ring of truth to Okeafor’s words, and that the team could definitely use an attitude adjustment this coming season.

*We hear that QB Tom Brady and the Patriots have come to terms on a lucrative six-year contract extension that would pay Brady less money than the contracts given to Peyton Manning and Michael Vick. However, the deal hasn’t been made official yet because the Patriots want to wait until they have finished making all of their free-agent moves before announcing the pact.

*New Niners head coach Mike Nolan wouldn’t mind bringing in former Redskins VP Joe Mendes (who worked with Nolan when they were both in Washington) in an advisory capacity. But the way we hear it, Nolan has run into some resistance from inside the organization.

*The Vikings haven’t completely closed the door on MLB E.J. Henderson. Henderson has lost his starting job to newcomer Sam Cowart, but the Vikings would move Cowart to the weak side if Henderson has a strong training camp.

*PFW asked Broncos TE Jeb Putzier, who recently signed a new $12.5 million contract, what he wants to improve on after a breakout 36-catch season. “Definitely blocking, so I can stay on the field all the time and not just be in on passing downs,” he said. “I want the chance to help contribute in all aspects of our offense and make it hard for other teams to game-plan against us.”

*Still on the lookout for a veteran cornerback after failing to lure Samari Rolle, Ken Lucas, Fred Smoot or Patrick Surtain to town, the Chiefs showed some guarded optimism when dealing with former Patriot Ty Law’s surgically repaired foot. Chiefs GM Carl Peterson said he was not prepared to offer Law a contract based on where he was with his rehabilitation in mid-March but indicated he would definitely like to meet with him again down the road to further gauge his progress. Law was impressed by the “family-type atmosphere” during his visit with Dick Vermeil and the organization and said he could see himself playing for the Chiefs. The Steelers, Colts and Jets had also expressed interest.

*Everyone in Silver & Black appears to be ecstatic with the signing of former Jets RB LaMont Jordan, whose physical, between-the-tackles style fits Norv Turner’s system well and should be able to keep defenses honest vs. Randy Moss & Co.

*After requesting a trade from Denver, it looks as if Reuben Droughns overestimated his value and found the chances to be scarce for willing suitors with an open RB competition. We’re told it’s not out of the realm of possibility to see him return to fullback for the Broncos if a deal isn’t struck prior to the draft.

*The $8.5 million signing bonus the Broncos awarded LB Ian Gold in his return to Denver seemed a bit high, according to observers, but he looks like a perfect fit for Denver’s plans to shift to more of a 3-4 scheme. His return, after just one year in Tampa, more than likely signals a shift to the strong side for D.J. Williams, but Williams’ playmaking ability isn’t expected to suffer much as a result.

*The Broncos entered late March still far from settled at the backup QB spot. Denver courted both Jeff Garcia and Gus Frerotte before watching them sign with the Lions and Dolphins, respectively, leaving Danny Kanell as the only reserve behind Jake Plummer with any experience.

*Sources close to the team are surprised a bit by the Chargers’ lack of spending in free agency, considering the $20 million they had available under the cap when the market opened, but the organization seems to be standing strong with its newfound philosophy of not overspending just because the funds are there.

*We’re told the Falcons didn’t make a big push to re-sign PK Jay Feely because the coaching staff had lost confidence in his accuracy.

*Although the Panthers intend to re-sign QB Rodney Peete in the next couple of weeks, we’re told the team is keeping its fingers crossed that Rod Rutherford, who was on the team’s practice squad last season, will win the No. 3 job in training camp.

*We hear the Panthers were very impressed by LB Mark Fields’ decision to wait until he was cleared by doctors to play at least three more years before signing a new contract with the team, something that should come in May.

*We’re told Saints general manager Mickey Loomis couldn’t be more pleased with how well the Saints’ offseason has progressed this year and believes the team will be a serious playoff contender in 2005.

*The Saints’ signing of S Dwight Smith made S Tebucky Jones expendable, and when the team couldn’t work out a deal to trade him, they released him to ensure that he didn’t become a problem in the locker room.

*Even with the Buccaneers’ decision to re-sign QB Brian Griese, we’re told backup Chris Simms still will see plenty of action in training camp as the Bucs work to set him up as the QB of the future.

*We hear the Bucs continue to be high on USC WR Mike Williams despite their need at running back and may make him their pick at No. 5 overall.

*We continue to hear that Rams GM Charley Armey — who has seemed like the odd man out in the team’s front office for a while now — could be overseeing his final draft in St. Louis.

*One of our Niners insiders tells us C Jeremy Newberry “looks like a million bucks” and is progressing nicely from last year’s knee surgery, even though he will still probably miss the team’s three-day veteran minicamp that starts April 1. We hear the Niners are not as optimistic about QB Tim Rattay, who also is expected to miss the minicamp following postseason forearm surgery.

*Word is Joe Nedney, who has missed practically all of the last two seasons due to injuries, is expected to compete for the Niners’ starting PK job with at least two other kickers, one of whom is ex-Oregon State PK Kirk Yiniemi, who has been polishing his skills in NFL Europe. We hear incumbent PK Todd Peterson, a native Georgian, just ­couldn’t resist signing a contract with the Falcons that brought him closer to his home.

*We hear the Cardinals could very well dip into their remaining cap money to extend the contract of WR Anquan Boldin. Our sources tell us the team and Boldin’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, remain in regular contact.

*The Cardinals have expressed an interest in re-signing UFA DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, but after the team re-signed Peppi Zellner and obtained free agent Chike Okeafor from Seattle, we hear Vanden Bosch would prefer finding a new team that would provide him with better playing opportunities.

*Our sources tell us that the Bills came up short in the bidding for ex-Colts OG Rick DeMulling because they were reluctant to pay top dollar to an interior lineman a year after signing Chris Villarrial to a big free-agent deal.

*We hear the Jets’ running backs will greatly miss departed free agents ORT Kareem McKenzie and TE Anthony Becht, who was essentially another O-lineman, since they both played instrumental roles in Curtis Martin being able to run outside as effectively as he did during his NFL-best 1,697-yard season.

*From the looks of things during head coach Nick Saban’s first few months on the job, he is putting a lot of stock in versatile players who can be “coached up” to be utilized in different defensive schemes, much like the Patriots use on a week-to-week basis.

*Barring the unforeseen release of a veteran tackle who might interest the Jets, we hear that New York has decided that second-year OT Adrian Jones will replace departed free agent Kareem McKenzie at right tackle.

*At this writing, the Ravens were hoping to re-sign LB T.J. Slaughter, who is penciled in to play the weak side when the team is in a 4-3 alignment.

*The way we hear it, the Steelers would like to sign a veteran right tackle to push second-year player Max Starks in training camp. The team may also look to take a developmental prospect at tackle in the later rounds.

*The Steelers signed 49ers UFA WR Cedrick Wilson to replace Plaxico Burress and compete with Antwaan Randle El for a starting job, but a source close to the team believes Randle El is likely to win the gig.

*We hear that the Texans, if no trading partner can be found, are likely to wait until after the draft to release ILB Jamie Sharper. The team appears poised to start Morlon Greenwood and Kailee Wong at inside ’backer this season.

*The Steelers are interested in adding a veteran tight end to improve the depth at the position.

*Lions third-year WR Charles Rogers is starting a strength-training regimen, with team doctors saying he currently is ahead of schedule rehabbing a broken collarbone for the second consecutive offseason. The Lions have more reservations this time around about pushing Rogers’ recovery. At the same time, they have greater confidence that Rogers will hit the regular season at 100 percent.

*The Bears don’t have a pressing need at running back, but there is a difference of opinion within the organization as to whether starter Thomas Jones is the right fit for offensive coordinator Ron Turner’s offense. Jones, a small slasher with good power for his size, was signed to be the focal point of a pass-driven offense that was one part Rams, one part Chiefs, one part West Coast offense. Now the Bears are geared toward a more physical offense and may seek a plowhorse-type back.

*The Packers won’t ask QB Brett Favre for any long-term assurances about continuing his playing career beyond 2005. Favre told the Packers after the 2003 season that he would take it year-by-year, a bittersweet dilemma for Green Bay. Some coaches believe No. 3 QB Craig Nall might be capable of starting in the future, but the Packers are hoping a veteran surfaces to provide depth behind Favre in the case of an injury. Restricted free agent J.T. O’Sullivan also figures into the mix as a potential long-term prospect if he re-signs.

etch-a-sketched by john at 6:49 PM