June 3, 2005 10:05 PM ET
Redskins: Police looking for Taylor
The News
Miami-Dade County police were searching on Friday for Redskins'
safety Sean Taylor because they believe he has information pertaining
to an assault case. "We need to speak to him," police spokesman Mary
Walters told ESPN wire services. "We don't know if he's a victim,
witness, or suspect." Police officials say the assault happened on
Wednesday night in Florida and involved shots being fired but no
injuries. Walters described the second-year player as "a person of
interest."

Our View
We can only hope that Taylor will make a stronger effort to contact
police officials than he has Redskins' head coach Joe Gibbs. The No.
5 overall pick in the 2004 draft has not returned several of Gibbs'
calls during the offseason. Taylor has not been taking part in the
team's offseason workout program, and is believed to be boycotting
team events in protest of the seven-year contract he signed prior to
last season. We will continue to update this story as more
information is released.

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June 3, 2005 4:33 PM ET
Redskins: Morton released
The News
The Redskins released kick return specialist Chad Morton on Friday.
The ESPN website reports that the 28 year-old veteran had three years
remaining on his contract. Morton appeared in only six games last
season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Our View
Oddly enough, Chad was released less than 24 hours after his older
brother Johnnie was cut by the Chiefs. The Redskins are among the
teams who have played host to free agent special teams ace R.W.
McQuarters, who was recently released by the Bears. If the Skins
don't sign McQuarters, they could opt to use wide receiver Santana
Moss on special teams.

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June 3, 2005 3:27 PM ET
Rams: Bruce sidelined by heart abnormality
The News
Rams' wide receiver Isaac Bruce was not allowed to practice with the
team on Friday after a routine heart test given to all players
revealed an abnormality. "Something funny showed up on the EKG,
that's all," Bruce told the Associated Press on Friday. "I was a
little shocked. I'm thinking something's wrong with the machine, not
anything wrong with me." The 32 year-old veteran is scheduled to
undergo a second test on Friday and will sit out the remainder of the
team's three-day camp. Bruce finished last season with 89 receptions
for 1,292 yards and six touchdowns.

Our View
We'll continue to keep you posted on Bruce's condition as more
information is released. Given that the team and Bruce agree that the
test revealed a slight abnormality, we're going under the assumption
that Isaac will be back on the field sooner than later. Should Bruce
miss substantial playing time, Kevin Curtis would probably fill his
spot in the starting lineup opposite Torry Holt.

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June 3, 2005 2:22 PM ET
49ers: Gragg released
The News
The 49ers released offensive tackle Scott Gragg on Thursday. The
Mercury News reports that the long-anticipated move saved the team
roughly $3 million in salary cap space. "Scott has always been a
first-class act, and hopefully he gets a shot with somebody," Niners'
head coach Mike Nolan said of Gragg, who spent five seasons in San
Francisco.

Our View
Gragg will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Kwame Harris,
who started seven games for the Niners last season. The club also
lost restricted free agent offensive tackle Kyle Kosier to the Lions
last month, so the Niners might be looking to add some line depth
before training camp opens.

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June 3, 2005 1:07 PM ET
Cardinals: Huff taking first-team reps
The News
Former Seahawks' linebacker Orlando Huff has passed James Darling,
who led the Cardinals in tackles last season, on the team's depth
chart. Friday's Arizona Republic reports that Huff has been working
as the Cards' starting outside linebacker, while Darling has taken a
backup role. Huff, who played middle linebacker for the Hawks last
season, finished the year with 52 tackles and one sack. Darling
logged 93 tackles and a sack last season for the Cardinals.

Our View
The Cardinals' current depth chart lists Huff and second-year player
Karlos Dansby as the starters on the outside, while third-year
veteran Gerald Hayes is penciled in as the starting middle
linebacker. This group doesn't have much in the way of name value,
but Huff and Dansby should are deep sleepers in leagues that award
points for individual defensive players.

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June 3, 2005 12:18 PM ET
49ers: Heitmann signs four-year deal
The News
The 49ers signed offensive lineman Eric Heitmann to a four-year
contract on Thursday. The Mercury News reports that the deal could be
worth up to $6.5 million if he reaches playing-time incentives based
on being a starter. The three-year veteran also received a $1.5
million signing bonus. Heitmann has started the last three seasons at
guard and can also play center.

Our View
Barring injury, Heitmann should have no problem reaching his playing
time incentives. Ideally, he would resume his role as a starting
guard. However, he is currently lining up as the first-team center
due to the absence of Jeremy Newberry, who underwent knee surgery
last month.

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June 3, 2005 12:01 PM ET
Giants: Shockey continues to impress
The News
Giants' tight end Jeremy Shockey is reportedly in the best shape of
his short career. The New York Post reported Friday that Shockey was
in "prime shape" and added that he "looks cut and fat-free."
Meanwhile, the Post also reported that the fourth-year tight end will
get more opportunities to catch passes this year than he did last
season, when head coach Tom Coughlin used him as a blocker on a
regular basis.

Our View
This could be a big season for Shockey, who reported to minicamp in
great shape after working out with fellow University of Miami-FLA
alumni. Jeremy seems to be maturing and won major points with
Coughlin when he reported for the offseason conditioning program
rather than continue to work out on South Beach. If Giants'
quarterback Eli Manning improves, so should Shockey's numbers.

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June 3, 2005 11:48 AM ET
Packers: Franks still unsigned
The News
Packers' tight end Bubba Franks has yet to sign the one-year contract
tender the team offered him back in March. As such, the team's
transition player is not allowed to participate in the team's
voluntary minicamp, which opened on Wednesday. The Milwaukee Journal-
Sentinel reports that the Packers placed the transitional tag on
Franks and offered him a $2.095 million deal. Franks has threatened
to sit out the season if the Packers don't offer him a long-term
contract.

Our View
With the media focussing on Javon Walker's holdout, Franks' situation
has become an afterthought in Green Bay. Fantasy owners should not
make the same mistake, as Bubba has hauled in a total of 27
touchdowns over the last four seasons. As such, he is a top-10 tight
end in basic scoring leagues.

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June 3, 2005 11:28 AM ET
Vikings: McQuarters visits
The News
Vikings' head coach Mike Tice hosted free agent defensive back and
special teams ace R.W. McQuarters on Friday. Tice told KFAN-radio,
the Vikings' flagship station, that he and McQuarters had breakfast
in the Twin Cities on Friday. When asked if he expects the former
Bear to sign a contract with the team, Tice said, "Yes, I do."
However, Tice reminded listeners that he does not make the financial
decisions for the Vikings.

Our View
Tice is frustrated with minicamp holdouts Brian Williams and Corey
Chavous, so he was sure to stress that McQuarters could push both
defensive backs for playing time. We're not sure how seriously to
take that threat, but we do believe that R.W. could provide a spark
on special teams as a return man.

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June 3, 2005 11:06 AM ET
Panthers: Jenkins blasts Sapp
The News
Panthers' defensive tackle pulled no punches while discussing how he
feels about Raiders' defensive lineman Warren Sapp. "I hate him,"
Jenkins told the Charlotte Observer on Thursday. "Everybody says I'm
supposed to be polite when I talk to you all, but I hate him. He
talks too much. He doesn't make any sense. He's fat. He's sloppy. He
acts like he's the best thing since sliced bread. He's ugly. He
stinks. His mouth stinks. His breath stinks and basically, his soul
stinks, too." Jenkins and Sapp became rivals when the latter player
was still a member of the Buccaneers.

Our View
Although we can't comment on Warren's hygiene or soul, we do agree
wholeheartedly with Jenkins when it comes to Sapp's weight,
sloppiness, and arrogance. Amen, Kris.

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June 3, 2005 10:54 AM ET
Eagles: McNabb expects Owens to report to camp
The News
Eagles' quarterback Donovan McNabb predicted Thursday that holdout
wide receiver Terrell Owens will report to training camp. "I've said
that he'll be at camp," McNabb told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "Now,
if he shows up a camp, he shows up. If he doesn't, hey, I'm just
telling you my opinion." McNabb also stated that he has been in
contact with Owens, but noted that he would not get involved in the
contract dispute. "As the leader of the team, which is pretty much
the second coach on the team, I think you have to handle things in a
(professional) manner," he continued. "When it comes to the contract,
that's nothing I need to be involved in." McNabb added that he hopes
to get together with Owens to work on their timing before training
camp opens.

Our View
We were fine with everything McNabb said until he labeled himself as
the team's second coach. While there is no questioning his role as a
team leader, the fact that he referred to role as being the
equivalent to a second coach might not sit well with some of his
teammates. Donovan's prediction that Owens will report for training
camp is encouraging, but fantasy owners should wait until it actually
happens before investing too heavily in the moody wideout.

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June 3, 2005 10:38 AM ET
Panthers: Davis targets training camp
The News
Panthers' running back Stephen Davis offered an update on his
rehabilitation from microfracture surgery on his right knee. "I've
been telling everybody it's a long process and I'm doing everything
possible as far as getting back on the field," Davis told the
Charlotte Observer on Thursday. "My progress is coming along very
well. Oh yeah, I definitely want to be ready at the start of training
camp. That's my personal goal." A member of the team's training staff
concurred that his goal is to have Davis back on the field for
training camp.

Our View
Fantasy owners should be leery of adding Stephen to their rosters
until he offers some proof that he'll make a full recovery from this
injury. Davis is trying to come back from a very serious surgery that
has ended the careers of other players such as former Panthers' wide
receiver Patrick Jeffers. If Davis doesn't make a successful
recovery, he'll likely be replaced in the starting lineup by DeShaun
Foster, who actually bounced back from the same surgery underwent.