National Football Post Diner News

10 February 2009

QUOTE:   “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”  ~  Thomas Jefferson

FROM PAT YASINSKAS OF ESPN.COM... Luke McCown, who could have become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the month, has been re-signed by the Buccaneers, the team announced Monday afternoon. With the new regime of coach Raheem Morris and general manager Mark Dominik taking over, this could be a sign that the Bucs are going to give McCown a shot at the starting job. That's something former coach Jon Gruden never did with McCown or any young quarterback, and his failure to develop a long-term plan was part of the reason he was fired in January.  McCown received a $2.5 million signing bonus and a $2.5 million base in 2009.  His base salary in 2010 is $2.5 million, but there are incentives that could take the deal to $7 million a year if he plays a lot next season. Regardless of whether he plays or doesn't play, the $5 million commitment the Bucs made to McCown, who has only four career starts, shows they are making some changes in the quarterback position.

This is a smart move for Luke McCown.  He gets to compete for a starting job on a team he’s familiar with and is capable of leading.  However, my instincts tell me that the Bucs will not stop with the signing of McCown. They will still want to draft a young quarterback who can be the centerpiece and brand of the franchise.  One of the reasons Jon “Love you Bro” Gruden was fired was because he was unable to develop a long -term solution at the quarterback position.  There may be a thousand valid reasons from the Gruden camp to explain why he never fell in love with one person, but the reality is that the lack of a young quarterback bothered the Glazer family. 

McCown has never had a chance to prove he can be the main man.  He was devastated the week of the Falcons game in Atlanta when he took most of the practice reps and was preparing to be the starter.  However, on the day of the game, McCown was told before going out to warm up that Brian Griese would start.  Gruden was just not capable of putting a younger player on the field, and this hurt McCown. 

When Raheem Morris interviewed the last week of the season, he thought it was for the defensive coordinator post.  But in reality, he was interviewing for head coach because the Glazers realized they needed to make a change.  When Morris left the long meeting, he felt strange and wondered what had just happened, but he was delighted to be moving up the ladder.  Part of that change will happen with the team, and especially at the quarterback position. 

In addition, with David Carr redoing his deal with the Giants, the next question many are asking is, when is the Eli Manning extension coming?  We’ve talked to people very close to Manning, we’ve talked to people very close to his agent, Tom Condon, and we’ve talked to people very close to the Giants -- and all have assured and confirmed to the Post that the deal is in place.  The Giants are waiting for the right time to make the formal announcement. 

FROM CLEVELAND BROWNS.COM... The last two players to start at quarterback for the Browns are no longer with the team.  The Browns announced seven roster moves Monday. Ken Dorsey's contract was terminated, and Bruce Gradkowski was waived.  The contracts of Antwan Peek and Terry Cousin were also terminated. Also waived were punter Mike Dragosavich, kicker Jason Reda and offensive lineman Eric Young.  Peek's 2008 season ended in training camp after he suffered a knee injury. He played in 14 games (four starts) in his first season with the Browns in 2007 and had four sacks. Cousin, a 12-year veteran, signed with the Browns last spring and played in all 16 games last season as a backup cornerback, recording one interception and two pass breakups.

I always had a rule in pro scouting to monitor and really know each player a new staff would release because often a new coach will make change for change’s sake.  In addition, this is an opportunity for other clubs to find some gems that might not fit in the new coach’s scheme.  With all the changes in the NFL this year, there will be many great players on the street, and if your pro department has not evaluated all the players on all the teams, it will not be ready for the changes.  Just evaluating free agents does not really provide enough insight of the potential players on the market.  Free agency garners a ton of attention, but the best way to improve your team is to find younger players who may have a future.  Alternatively, there will be some salary cap casualties.  Once a player is terminated, there’s no time to watch tape; the pro department needs to have a report ready and be prepared to react quickly. 

With every new head coach, there will be a ton of changes, and this is an area where the best pro departments can shine.  You must know your scheme and know when a new scheme doesn’t fit the players.  For example, Tampa Bay is going to change its defensive style and will want bigger linemen.  A player like Chris Hovan does not fit in the new scheme.  Therefore, the pro department can identify and target players who might be traded or released. 

FROM SCOTT BROWN OF THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE REVIEW... Smith didn't play after the Steelers' Oct. 5 game in Jacksonville and the team put him on injured reserve in late December. Ken Zuckerman, Smith's agent, said the ninth-year veteran is healthy again. "If needed, he could have played in the Super Bowl," Zuckerman said. Essex has played sparingly in four NFL seasons and has just one career start at left tackle. Starks would almost certainly draw the most interest of the three on the open market. The 6-8, 345-pounder has started at right and left tackle on Super Bowl-winning teams, and he only turned 27 last month. Starks made almost $6.9 million last season, and he would be guaranteed $8.45 million next season if the Steelers use the franchise tag on him, or $7.74 million if they designate him a transition player.

I am still amazed the Steelers won a Super Bowl with Max Starks as their left tackle.  Marvel Smith is the better player, but his back problems in recent years make it uncertain he can go 16 games next season.  Starks bailed them out, and he was a critical player down the stretch, but if you watch the tape closely, the Steelers did a wonderful job protecting him and not allowing him to be on an island.  Back problems for offensive linemen always are a concern and make it difficult to invest significant dollars in them.

The Steelers proved one thing: They can win with anyone at left tackle, and they might not be able to address their line needs until the draft. 

FROM CALVIN WATKINS OF THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS... “Oh, definitely, big-time," Reeves said when asked if he was surprised by the clause. "For someone to question how I've done [my time] for a lot of years, I've never been questioned. Plus, as a coach, how can you verify that? Nobody punches a clock."  When Reeves said he couldn't sign such a contract, he and Jones declined to work together.

Calvin Watkins wrote this a few days ago, and I’ve talked to many people who tell me that the story is correct.  To defend the Cowboys here, in most consulting contracts in the business world, there is specific language that determines the amount of hours the consultant must work.  So what’s the problem putting it in writing if you plan to work more hours anyway?  I don’t think it was unreasonable for Jerry Jones to lay everything out in writing and make sure all parties agreed. 

Now, for the real news out of Dallas regarding Terrell Owens.  Peter King wrote this yesterday in his Monday Morning QB, and I believe he is dead-on accurate.  When, not if, is the real question everyone is asking about T.O.  He will not be back, but the team is still deciding when to make the announcement of his termination or trade.  

Maybe Jones can work a trade out to send Owens to the Raiders since they have a huge need at wideout and have never been afraid to take on a big challenge.  This will be interesting to follow as it develops.

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