FB Kreider will test Free Agency
Jerry DiPaola reports that Dan Kreider, one of eight unrestricted free agents for the Steelers, is looking for a better deal. He may have only carried the ball 16 times in 2003, but one would certainly think he would be an integral part in reviving a running game that ranked near the bottom of the NFL last season. One complication however, is that the Steelers are currently $4.7 million over the salary cap.
Kordell might be out in Chicago
It looks like Kordell Stewart has worn out his welcome in Chicago--and this time it only took one season. Apparently, Stewart still thinks he can be a starter somewhere. This may have all been moot if Stewart's agent, Leigh Steinberg, had not turned down a four-year deal worth roughly $12 million with the Cardinals. At the time, Stewart thought he was making the right decision in signing with Chicago because, as John Clayton wrote last year:
"What appealed to Stewart about the Bears situation more than the Ravens job is that there is less likelihood that Chicago will use its first-round choice on a quarterback. The Ravens might use the 10th pick on a quarterback."
Well, the Bears did use their first pick on a quarterback, but Stewart was benched in favor of Chris Chandler even before Rex Grossman saw any action.
If Stewart is let go, the Ravens might be a good fit for Stewart if he's willing to be the backup. Billick has already named Boller the starting QB, but Anothy Wright's contract is up and he may not be back.
In retrospect, maybe Cowher was on to something with the whole Slash thing.
Holcomb has Shoulder Surgery
Tim Couch took one step closer to entrenching himself as the Browns starting quarterback for the 2004 season when Kelly Holcomb had surgery on his right shoulder that will keep him out for six months. The primary concern for the Browns is if they can convince Couch to restructure his contract (he made $7.86 million in 2003 and is scheduled to make $9.26 million next season--not bad for a guy who started eight games last year and has a career QB rating of 75.1).
Of course if Couch doesn't agree to restructure, the Browns would be forced to trade him, release him, sign a QB via free agency (which doesn't seem likely), or draft one. Carmen Policy, the Browns owner, denied that the Browns were interested in restructuring Couch's contract with the sole purpose of trading him.
UNC's Version of the Glove
"More than anybody else on the team, Jackie Manuel has bought into what makes North Carolina's team do well," Williams says. "He's bought into all the little things. He's bought into complete intensity when he's out there. He's playing with a sense of urgency...He tries to do everything he's asked to do. On the defensive end of the floor, even when he makes a mistake, it's because he is trying to do too much. It's never a failure of omission"-Roy Williams
"He blocked a couple of my shots early, and after that it was in the back of my head...I started rushing things, and I never really caught the ball in rhythm. He is one of the quickest at recovering to my shot. He's probably the toughest defender I've faced."-J.J. Redick
Adam Lucas writes an interesting story on the transformation of Jackie Manuel from a mediocre player to one of the best defenders in the country.
