-- The Texans are considering swapping picks with the Jets. Newsday claims a proposed deal could have Houston move from 1 to 4, gaining DE John Abraham in the process. The Jets could then select USC QB Matt Leinart.
The move makes some sense from a points perspective. The top pick is worth 3000 points on a draft value chart. The fourth pick is worth 1800 points. The 1200 point difference is equivalent to the 12th pick in the first round.
Abraham was taken 13th overall in 2000.
The article also claims that Leinart is the hot QB, with the Jets, Saints and Titans all having serious interest in the 2004 Heisman winner.
-- The Boston Herald mentions Cleveland, Dallas and Miami as possible landing spots for Patriots OLB Willie McGinnest. Not surprisingly, those three teams run 3-4 defenses and are coached by members of the Bill Parcells/Bill Belichick coaching fraternity. McGinnest has stated his desire to stay with New England.
If Dallas were to acquire McGinnest, it would be a case of better late than never; Jerry Jones tried desperately to trade up in the 1994 draft and select McGinnest, who Jones saw as a replacement for Charles Haley. Jones had a deal worked out with the Rams that would have sent WR Alvin Harper to St. Louis for the 5th overall pick. Parcells scuttled his plans by selecting McGinnest with the 4th pick.
-- New England feels confident it can re-sign K Adam Vinatieri if a new CBA is worked out this week.
-- The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that free agency will be delayed one to two weeks so teams can reassess their salary caps after the expected CBA extension is ratified this week.
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