DT Adams awaits lucrative contract offer

By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor

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Thursday, June 20, 2002

• Former Ravens DT Sam Adams has fielded interest from the Redskins, Ravens, Eagles and Bengals, with the Broncos recently joining the pursuit. Despite much interest, Adams is waiting for what he considers a suitable contract and said he is willing to sit out a season if he doesn’t receive market value. The Redskins, who signed veteran DT Santana Dotson two and a half weeks ago, have continued to show interest in Adams, where he would reunite with former Ravens and Redskins defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis. If Adams sits out the season, he will coach a semipro football team in the Seattle area that he owns.

• Redskins officials are reportedly interested in Saints unrestricted free-agent WR Willie Jackson, who played for Steve Spurrier at Florida, and veteran free-agent OGs Ben Coleman and Ray Brown.

• Although many consider the DE and RB positions to lack depth on the Eagles’ roster, head coach Andy Reid said he was content with his roster on the Eagles’ last day of minicamp Wednesday and did not plan to make any more moves in free agency before training camp opens in July. Reid admitted that the Eagles expressed interest in trading for Bills RB Shawn Bryson and didn’t rule out the possibility of signing Dorsey Levens in training camp. With nearly $10 million available under the salary cap, don’t be surprised if the Eagles pick up some veteran depth during training camp.

• The Patriots are looking for a fourth quarterback to bring to training camp after former Texas QB Major Applewhite decided to pursue his degree and a college coaching job. Free-agent QB Eric Zeier, who played for the Browns when Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was with the team, is a likely candidate. Zeier has been out of the NFL since being cut by the Falcons before last season. He then joined the Georgia Force of the Arena League for the team’s first season in Atlanta but left before the season in anticipation of signing with the Colts. Instead, the Colts traded a fifth-round pick in last season’s draft for Seattle QB Brock Huard.

Wednesday, June 19, 2002

• According to agent Joel Segal, four or five teams are still interested in former Packers WR Antonio Freeman. Freeman, who was released by the Packers early this month, is looking for a team where he could start. The Seahawks remain a possibility with a group of young receivers and a head coach — Mike Holmgren — who is familiar with Freeman. Segal, who also represents Saints unrestricted free-agent WR Willie Jackson, said the 49ers are still involved in discussions for Jackson. Another team looking for a veteran wide receiver is the Chiefs, who cut Derrick Alexander in a cap-related move and made a strong push to sign Keenan McCardell.

• Redskins unrestricted free-agent WR Michael Westbrook has received an offer from the Bengals but is patiently waiting for teams to conclude minicamps, where they will have a chance to evaluate their talent at the WR position. Westbrook is looking for more than the minimum salary, according to his agent, Steve Zucker, which appears to be holding up negotiations with Cincy. The Eagles and Patriots have expressed interest in Westbrook, but no further visits have been scheduled. The Eagles are sitting in great shape financially with nearly $10 million available under the salary cap, but head coach Andy Reid has not made many moves after June 1 in the past. Baltimore director of pro personnel Ozzie Newsome likes Westbrook, according to Zucker, but the Ravens are in poor shape under the cap.

• Six teams have expressed interest in RB Jamal Anderson since he was released by the Falcons in a cap-related move, according to agent James Sims. The Saints, who are looking for a backup to Deuce McAllister, may be one suitor. Philadelphia, Baltimore, Dallas, Arizona and Chicago are also strong possibilities. Philadelphia lost Correll Buckhalter in minicamp. The Ravens are hoping Jamal Lewis can recover from a knee injury that kept him out of last season, but they could use more depth. This could be Emmitt Smith’s final season in Dallas, making the RB position a future priority. The Cardinals do not have much depth behind the bulked-up Thomas Jones, and the Bears lost veteran backup RB James Allen to the Texans.

Tuesday, June 18, 2002

• Free-agent QB Charlie Batch turned down a more lucrative deal with the Jaguars to sign a one-year, $525,000 contract with the Steelers. The signing allows Batch to play in his hometown and join a Super Bowl contender. After making trips to Houston, Green Bay and Jacksonville, Batch initiated contact with Steelers director of football operations Kevin Colbert, who knew Batch from their time together in Detroit, and let Colbert know he was interested in playing for head coach Bill Cowher, whom he grew up watching.

• The Vikings agreed to terms on a one-year contract with DT Cedric Killings after he performed well in a workout last week. Killings participated in 14 games as a rookie in 2000 for the 49ers before joining the Panthers last season. He is expected to compete for a backup job behind Chris Hovan and Fred Robbins.

Monday, June 17, 2002

• Free-agent RB Ki-Jana Carter reached an agreement with the Packers on Friday. Green Bay had been searching for a backup to RB Ahman Green, with Dorsey Levens remaining unsigned. Carter was the Bengals’ first overall selection of the 1995 draft out of Penn State. He sat out his first season because of a torn knee ligament and has been hampered by injuries throughout his career. He spent four years in Cincinnati before signing with the Redskins last season. The Packers waived QB Josh Heupel and veteran LB Robert Jones to make room under the cap for Carter’s signing. Jones became expendable when the Packers signed Hardy Nickerson on Friday.

• The Jaguars reached an agreement with free-agent DE Marco Coleman, who was released by the Redskins on June 3 after refusing to take a pay cut from the $3.5 million he was slated to earn in 2002. The 10-year veteran reportedly will sign a three-year deal that could be worth as much as $4.5 million with incentives.

• The Saints’ search for a backup running back will begin today, when veteran free-agent RB Terry Allen is scheduled to visit New Orleans. The Saints had scheduled a visit with RB Ki-Jana Carter for Wednesday, but Carter reached a deal with the Packers Friday. If Allen doesn’t sign, it’s possible the Saints could swap a third-round draft pick for Buffalo RB Shawn Bryson, who has become expendable in an overcrowded Bills backfield. However, the Eagles, who lost starting RB Correll Buckhalter to a season-ending knee injury in May, are believed to be offering more for Bryson.

• The Saints have also scheduled a visit with former Lions QB Charlie Batch on Tuesday. The free agent had scheduled a flight out of town for Saturday but remained in Pittsburgh on Sunday night, awaiting word on contract talks between the Steelers and his agent, Tom Condon. Negotiations are expected to resume today, with both sides interested in reaching a quick resolution. Batch has visited the Texans, Packers and Jaguars before taking a trip to Pittsburgh, where he spent the weekend with family. Batch, 27, grew up in Pittsburgh and seems enticed by the opportunity to play in his hometown. The Steelers are looking to upgrade their depth at the QB position. The Jaguars, who are searching for a veteran backup behind Mark Brunell, appear to be the Steelers’ top competition for Batch.

Got scoop?  Drop a line to associate editor Nolan Nawrocki at nnawrocki@primediasi.com.

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