The running back market is severely overcrowded, making it difficult for any of the teams looking to trade a top tailback to get anything significant in return.
The Indianapolis Colts used their franchise-player tag last month on tailback Edgerrin James, but told him recently that they would consider trading him. James, who starred in college at the University of Miami, would like to be dealt to the Dolphins. He hired Miami-based agent Drew Rosenhaus to represent him, and the Dolphins continue to have a glaring need at the position after Ricky Williams's abrupt retirement last summer. With the Colts saying they might settle for less than a first-round draft choice in a trade for James, the move would be all but automatic, under normal circumstances.
But these aren't normal circumstances, and it's such a buyer's market that the teams looking for a centerpiece runner -- the Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a few other clubs -- haven't been willing to surrender much of anything to get one.
James is available. So is Shaun Alexander, Seattle's franchise player whom the Seahawks might trade. So is Travis Henry, Buffalo's former starter who's looking to be dealt by the Bills after losing the starting job last season to Willis McGahee.
And that's only the top tier. Other runners on the trading block include Reuben Droughns of Denver and William Green of Cleveland. Chicago's Anthony Thomas remains available on the unrestricted free agent market. Green Bay's Najeh Davenport is a restricted free agent who would require a fourth-round draft choice as compensation to sign away from the Packers. The Browns have signed another restricted free agent, Chester Taylor of Baltimore, to a one-year, $3 million offer sheet, and are awaiting the Ravens' response.
Meantime, the draft includes three top tailbacks -- Cedric Benson of Texas and Auburn teammates Ronnie Brown and Carnell (Cadillac) Williams. The Dolphins, Buccaneers and Cardinals have top-eight selections, perhaps explaining why they haven't been eager to surrender even a second-round pick for James or Alexander.
Williams, Dolphins Talking
The Miami Herald reported over the weekend that Dolphins Coach Nick Saban had spoken recently to Williams. Since getting the Miami job in December, Saban has left open the possibility of Williams returning to the Dolphins if he wants to play football again. And Williams has left open the possibility of a return to the NFL at some point. The Herald also reported that Williams has told associates he has stopped using marijuana, and he likely will end his legal appeals over the $8.6 million that he owes the Dolphins for breach of contract under an arbitrator's ruling.
So does all of that mean that Williams is contemplating a return to the NFL? No one seems to know. Last season, attorney David Cornwell negotiated an agreement with the league on Williams's behalf under which Williams would have served his pending four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy in the final four games of the 2004 season, then would have been eligible to participate in offseason workouts and eligible to play at the outset of next season -- only to have Williams reject the deal. Williams's representatives assumed at that point that his return to football was not imminent.
"If anyone tells you they have a good grasp of what Ricky is thinking," one person close to the situation said over the weekend, "they're lying."
Meetings To Officially Open
The annual league meetings are scheduled to open today in Maui with Commissioner Paul Tagliabue addressing owners. . . . The New York Giants re-signed quarterback Jesse Palmer, an unrestricted free agent, over the weekend. Palmer agreed to a two-year, $1.5 million contract. . . . Seattle signed defensive tackle Chartric Darby, an unrestricted free agent from the Buccaneers, to a one-year, $3 million deal. . . . Houston signed free-agent linebacker Zeke Moreno, formerly of San Diego. . . . Tampa Bay signed cornerback Juran Bolden, who had been released by Jacksonville. . . . Seattle released offensive tackle Chris Terry.
Hartwell To Falcons
Free-agent linebacker Edgerton Hartwell has left the Ravens, agreeing to a six-year contract with Atlanta. The deal is worth $26.25 million, including an $8 million signing bonus. Hartwell, 26, was one of the best players left on the picked-over free-agent market. He was a three-year starter for the Ravens who led the team in tackles in 2002. He picked the Falcons over the Kansas City Chiefs. . . .
University of Maryland defensive end Shawne Merriman is climbing many teams' draft boards after a solid showing in his pro-day workout last week for NFL scouts, coaches and front-office executives. He was timed in the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds and performed a 40-inch vertical leap. He is the sort of off-the-edge pass rusher who could play defensive end for a club in a four-linemen, three-linebacker alignment, or outside linebacker for a team in a 3-4 setup. He appears well on his way to being a top-15 pick next month, and he perhaps could sneak into the top 10.
