NFP»Columns»Notes from Lombardi»Tavern Talk
RSS

Notes From Lombardi

Michael Lombardi

Bookmark and Share Print This Send This January 14, 2009, 04:36 PM EST
26 Comments

FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

FIVE THINGS I KNOW….

1.     I know the Cowboys are having serious internal discussions about releasing Terrell Owens very soon.  Serious discussions.  The $3.1-million roster bonus due Owens in March is also adding to the discussions.   It may affect the decision that Jason Garrett makes if he is offered a head coaching job. 

2.     I know the Broncos want to talk to linebackers coach Don Martindale, whose Raiders contract expired Tuesday, and are scheduled to interview him some time today.  Martindale has a few options available to him. 

3.     I know that after talking to multiple teams today, Chargers running back Darren Sproles is going to be a hot item if he makes it to the free-agent market in March.  Many teams would love to add his services, and the amount of cap room some of the teams have is staggering. 

4.     I know that whoever hires Rex Ryan is going to get a great head coach. The same goes for Jim Schwartz.  Both men have paid their dues and have built great defenses. 

5.     I know that Bill Romanowski, formerly of the Broncos, is serious about getting back into football and will have a talk with Denver’s brass soon to explore his possible return. 

FIVE THINGS I HEAR….

1.     I hear Todd Bowles was impressive in his interview with the Lions.  Not sure he has improved his position, but he was well liked.  And it helps having been a teammate of Lions GM Martin Mayhew. 

2.     I hear that Leslie Frazier might be a surprise choice for the Rams.  He was impressive in both of his interviews with Denver and St. Louis.

3.     I hear that the Rams are down to only three candidates -- Frazier, Garrett and Steve Spagnuolo of the Giants.  Just those three have a chance to get the job. 

4.     I hear that after Scott Pioli makes a change at head coach and Herm “Lets Build Something Together” Edwards is let go, he will have a tough time convincing Kirk Ferentz to leave Iowa.  Ferentz seems content to stay where he is right now. 

5.     I hear that Brian Westbrook’s re-injured left knee will not keep him from playing this weekend, but might it might curtail his effectiveness. 

Comments

Add a Comment
Pro Football America
Jan 14, 2009
05:16 PM

Would they save "just" the $3.1MM for releasing Owens?

It's tough to see them actually going through with it. Unless they think he's run out of gas. Sure, he's a malcontent, but he also was two years ago when they won 13 games and he was the 2nd best WR in the league.

Scott
Jan 14, 2009
05:31 PM

Mike:

Thanks for the info, as always. Just thought I'd let you know the Iowa coach's name is spelled Ferentz. Thanks for the scoop.

Jamison
Jan 14, 2009
06:27 PM

I'm curious if anyone picks up TO after he's canned. My bet is the Raiders.

Gawd I'm glad Denver didn't get him like they were rumored to have been trying before he came to Dallas.

Packer Pete
Jan 14, 2009
07:13 PM

Cutting TO would make sense if the Cowgirls have a degree of confidence in Roy Williams, who they coughed up a fortune to get but whom they barely used, and the 'Girls are convinced that TO and Williams can't share the field and be happy. TO's locker room lover's spat to break up Romo's and Whitten's romance may have convinced the brass to ditch TO.

Tyler
Jan 14, 2009
07:14 PM

Pro Football America,

Are we really sure Owens is the second best receiver anymore? Is he better than Moss or Fitzgerald? I doubt it.

I also would say, unless they are able to do some serious convincing to Jerry Jones, that T.O. will be with the Cowboys next year. Jones loves the high-profile players and T.O. is still at the top of that list.

Tyler
Jan 14, 2009
07:17 PM

Nevermind, you said two years ago, not currently. T.O. isn't even in the top 5 anymore...

Michael C. from Greenville
Jan 14, 2009
07:20 PM

Jamison,

I think Terrell Owens would have worked out well in Denver.
He certainly would have helped run Jake Plummer out of town which Shannahan did anyway.

Cutler seems to keep going to a guy if he is getting open no matter what.

I think even Owens would have had a hard time complaining...

I can't see the Broncos being any worse off than they were the last three years because of TO.

Wayne
Jan 14, 2009
07:28 PM

Packer Pete - this site is where the grown ups discuss football. Your juvenile rants are better suited to ESPN's message boards.

Kara
Jan 14, 2009
07:31 PM

So does that mean then if Haslett (sp) isn't hired by the Rams that he has a good chance at the Green Bay D.C. job?

Pro Football America
Jan 14, 2009
07:33 PM

"T.O. isn’t even in the top 5 anymore…"

Oh, I agree. But is he so bad that he's worth cutting?

Or has it gotten to the point where his obnoxiousness has outweighed his effectiveness, whereas two years ago it was the other way around?

Any guesses as to who would pick him up? Oakland seems like an obvious guess.

-- Mike

matt
Jan 14, 2009
07:41 PM

how much would owens go for right now anyway? i assume he makes about 5-6 mill right now...he's gotta be getting that cut in half at least on another team right?

Pro Football America
Jan 14, 2009
07:46 PM

That's the other thing -- Owens just re-upped in Dallas in June. 4yr/$34MM, $13MM in guarantees.

He's due $2.67MM this year, which I think comes off the books if they cut him, plus the $3.1MM roster bonus that Mike mentioned that they wouldn't have to pay.

I could be slightly off on those numbers, for what it's worth.

Next 1 - 12 of 26 Prev COMMENTS

Add a Comment

* Required - Keep track of your comments Login or Register with NFP
(will not be published)