The Quiet Man
NT/DT LaRoi Glover has emerged from his shell, saying he's not sure of his role with the team and wants more playing time. Glover, in contrast to DE Greg Ellis, has been quiet about his status until now, saying he "did not want to say anything he would regret later."
The team has been equally quiet about his future. There has been some speculation that Glover could be released, but I can't see the team cutting a valuable commodity like Glover. Defensive tackles who can rush the passer are scarce. We'll see.
One Less Option?
Steelers FS Chris Hope wants to re-sign with the Steelers. He'll be one of the top free safeties on the market if he doesn't.
One Less Option, Part Two?
Saints GM Mickey Loomis is threatening to designate C LeCharles Bentley a franchise player. I'm surprised it took Loomis this long. Good organizations don't allow 26 year old Pro Bowl-caliber players to leave without compensation.
Tuna Helpers?
The Jets are $25 million over the cap and are evaluating the contracts of older veterans Curtis Martin, Kevin Mawae, Pete Kendall and Jason Fabini. Martin and Fabini are Parcells draftees. Fellow Parcells guy Ty Law will hit the market soon, as the Jets will pass on the $11 million roster bonus he is due in March.
Fabini would be an option for the Cowboys' RT spot if New York released him.
The biggest Parcells' draftee to watch on New York's roster is DE/OLB John Abraham. The New York Daily News quoted an Abraham associate that the player "wants to get the hell out of New York."
The convensional wisdom has been that the Jets would franchise Abraham for a second consecutive year and try to trade him. However, franchising Abraham would lock up over $8 million in cap room, meaning the Jets would have to pare $34 million worth of contracts off their payroll to retain Abraham and still get under the cap.
Don't look now, but it seems increasingly possible that Abraham, and not LeCharles Bentley, will hit the market unfettered.