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More News Around AFC East. O'Donnell Receives Interest From Chargers and Bengals...  With the recent release
of quarterback Neil O'Donnell from the Jets, teams shopping for a veteran
quarterback have become interested.After several years leading Pittsburgh to the playoffs and Super Bowl, O'Donnell found himself at a dead end in Bill Parcells doghouse with the Jets. His release came for salary cap relief and from heated sideline arguments with Parcells. O'Donnell refused a paycut, which evidently costed his job. Now O'Donnell finds himself in the dark and unpredictable free agent market. With his release just a few days ago, teams have already jumped to the chance of acquiring his potential, but inconsistent talent. The San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals have been at the top of attempting to sign O'Donnell. In San Diego, the Chargers are thinking of having O'Donnell as a teacher and a role model for rookie QB Ryan Leaf. In Cincinnati, the Bengals are looking for somebody, anybody, to take over at quarterback. O'Donnell was cut Wednesday when the Jets signed Vinny Testaverde. Testaverde was cut by the Ravens earlier this month after the Ravens got fed up with losing. They are looking for a new beginning at quarterback. More reasons that San Diego is competing for O'Donnell's services is to take some pressure off rookie Ryan Leaf, the 2nd overall pick in April's draft and the 2nd quarterback taken. Its a surprise that Indianapolis hasn't looked for a veteran like O'Donnell, since Peyton Manning is also a rookie. Manning is already the inked starter so the Colts may believe that he doesn't need a role model. That may be a factor throughout the season when Manning is faced with critical situations on the field. It seems the Colts are forcing Manning into a difficult situation, but the Chargers said they're trying to do the opposite. This would help Leaf's learning process, which would be very beneficial to a successful future in the NFL. Leaf told the San Diego Union-Tribune, "To have a veteran here to learn from would definitely make things a lot easier for me, but if I get thrown into the fire, I'm just going to be as prepared as I possibly can. I'll spend every waking minute making sure I'm prepared to play." Leaf sounds like he can handle it, but as past experiences prove, rookie ignorance can bust a promising career. Making matters more interesting, Leaf and O'Donnell are both represented by agent Leigh Steinberg. And to make that even more interesting, Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe is ALSO represented by Steinberg. It seems unlikely O'Donnell would want to enter a situation where he is on roster to baby-sit a rookie quarterback. He'll be the object to teach Leaf while O'Donnell sits on the bench with a washed-up career. O'Donnell refused to receive a pay cut in New York, so it only makes sense he would want to find a team that would give him a chance to earn a starting job. He thinks he can lead a team, and maybe he can. Its all up to the team that he signs with whether he'll be their go-to quarterback.
Esiason retired, which leaves Jeff Blake alone as the starter unless someone else can take over a that position. Blake was benched last season after leading Cincinnati to a 1-7. Esiason came in and led the Bengals to a 4-1 finish while Blake sat on the bench without a pass in the last 5 games. The Bengals were interested in Vinny Testaverde before he signed with the Jets, which proves that the Bengals want someone to take over at quarterback. The Bengals hope Blake can perform as well as he did in 1996. In 1996, he threw for 3,624 yards and 24 touchdowns. The Bengals do not want to rely on possibilities, that's why they plan to bring in someone else in case Blake doesn't perform up to expectations. "If Jeff plays like he did two years ago, we're fine," Bengals president Mike Brown said, "[But] if he plays like he did the first half of last season, we're in trouble. No one around here knows what will happen." O'Donnell's performance against the Bengals in 1997 may have been a factor on why they want him. He completing 20 of 34 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-14 win. Bengals coach Bruce Coslet said he will speak to O'Donnell on Monday. "Just see what he's thinking," Coslet said. "He's a guy who won, who's experienced. Who wouldn't be interested? I know Neil from the golf tournaments, and he's a good football player. He's a tough guy mentally and physically...the interest in Neil would be the same as it was with Vinny. He's a vet. He's been around." Wherever he signs, it doesn't seem that O'Donnell's price tag will be a bargain. He isn't worth the five-year, $25 million deal he signed two years ago. He refused a pay cut to reduce his salary from $4.2 million to $2.5 million. Testaverde's contract in New York will pay him $1.5 million for one year, potentially up to $5 million with incentives, but he said he was offered more than $2.5 million by other teams. If O'Donnell were to go to San Diego, it would likely be a one-year deal, allowing O'Donnell to test the free-agent market again next season. San Diego doesn't have the salary-cap room to win an auction-type battle for O'Donnell's services, but O'Donnell might take less money for the best opportunity to showcase his skills. "If there are six teams bidding for him, I don't see how he would come here," Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard said. Wherever he goes, O'Donnell must play up to expectations...or else he'll find himself on his livingroom couch waiting for a phone call to get another chance. Slow Sales Endanger The Bills Future In Buffalo...  In order to keep the
Bills in Buffalo for at least six more years, fans and businesses
In 10 months, they have purchased less than half. If the money isn't raised, the 38-year history of the Bills in Buffalo could be in jeopardy. With the Giants and Jets playing in New Jersey, New York could be without an NFL franchise. "We don't ask for much in this town," financial consultant Jamie Johns said. "The Bills aren't the only reason we wake up in September, but they are a reason. All we're asking for is 16 Sundays a year. Once again, it comes down to the almighty buck. Nothing comes free." A way to get fans to buy luxury suites and tickets, the Bills acquired QB Rob Johnson from Jacksonville. Fans say they are happy with the team, but with prices for suites ranging from $17,000 to $69,000 per season, loyal fans have little say in whether it will stay. Club seats, which come heated and have access to a private concourse, range from $400 to $1,050 per season. Single season tickets range from $300 to $460 per season. "We've have to get some enthusiasm going," said Bills owner Ralph Wilson, who agreed last summer on a new lease with Erie County to stay at Rich Stadium. "If it's just continued complacency and the feeling, 'Oh we have a team and we don't have to worry,' it doesn't bode well." In order to keep up with other NFL franchises in larger markets, Wilson wanted more luxury suites and club seats added to the stadium. Revenue from those sources is not shared with other teams. New York set aside $95 million that would be used to improve the stadium, add the luxury seating and keep the team in town. Before the money is released, the state wanted $11 million in commitments from fans and businesses, assuring their support for the team. "My confidence is realistic optimism," said Bill Munson, Bills vice president of business operations and point man for the suite sales. "I know it's going to be an ultramarathon to get this done by December 1. As they say in the board room, 'This ain't a done deal.' This is going to take an awful lot of work." The state has also agreed to forgive a $6.5 million loan it made in 1995 for construction of a Bills' practice facility. President of the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership, Andrew Rudnik thinks the businesses should pay because the Bills have brought in a large sum of business to many companies. "If we name three, four or five internationally recognizable assets we have, on that list is the Bills. That's the reason. We can't afford to lose them." If Buffalo is serious and they want to keep the Bills, they should do what's necessary to keep them there. RB Lawrence Phillips Is In Trouble...AGAIN!...  Miami Dolphins
badboy running back Lawrence Phillips is under
Phillips hit the woman after she refused to dance with him at the Brick House, according to police in Plantation, about 20 miles north of Miami. A news conference was scheduled to announce details of the police investigation into the assault, which took place shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday. Phillips has been troubled by his outbursts many times in the past. While with the St. Louis Rams, Phillips was arrested 3 times and spent 23 days in jail during a 19 month period. The Rams released him last November. The Dolphins jumped to the chance and signed Phillips 12 days later. Fans have come to expect this from Lawrence, but enough is enough. The Rams picked up "Iron-Head" Hayworth to help Phillips with his problems, but it didn't work. The Dolphins should send Phillips to a correctional facility to perhaps change his ways. His behavior affects his team, and as far as the Dolphins are concerned, they don't need any more distractions if they want to be sucessful. |
