Misc Rumor - Football Wiretap
2012 Salary Cap Could Be Lower Than Expected
The new league year begins in two weeks and the per-team salary cap number for 2012 has yet to be announced.
There is talk around the league that the number will be lower than expected.
The number had been expected to be at least $120 million or so per team.
Bill Polian Joining ESPN As Analyst
Former Colts vice chairman Bill Polian is joining ESPN as an NFL analyst.
He will start March 12, the day before the free-agency period begins.
"We will tap into his expertise immediately on ESPN in preparation for the upcoming NFL draft, free agency and arguably the biggest offseason story in years with the future of his former quarterback Peyton Manning still to be determined," Seth Markman, ESPN senior coordinating producer for NFL studio shows, said.
Dielman Set To Announce Retirement
Chargers guard Kris Dielman is expected to officially announce his retirement on Thursday.
Dielman, a four-time All-Pro, was an anchor of the San Diego's line but finished the 2011 season on injured reserve because of a concussion.
NFL Will Open 2012 Season On Sept. 5
The 2012 season-opening NFL Kickoff game will be played on Wednesday, September 5.
The game will be played on Wednesday to avoid a conflict with President Barack Obama's Thursday night speech at the Democratic National Convention.
Packers Want To Keep Woodson At Corner
Charles Woodson may play a few snaps at safety for the Packers next season, but the team wants to keep him at cornerback.
"I think the closer Charles is to the ball the more dangerous he is and more impact he has to the offense," coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's the most instinctive defensive player I've ever been around."
Last season, Woodson participated in 988 regular-season plays, or 90.1% of the snaps.
He probably played slot corner 70% to 75% of the time, outside corner 20% to 25% and safety for the rest.
Bengals Looking Towards Running Back Committee
The Bengals appear headed for a committee approach at running back in 2012 with Cedric Benson headed for free agency.
Cincinnati could take a back early in April's NFL Draft to fortify their stable of rushers.
"It's not a bad way to go. Keep guys fresh. They play longer, they're involved," offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said of the committee concept.
"If something happens to one, you know you've got a guy that can come in there and be productive. Where you're not relying heavily on one guy and if something happens to him, you’re like, 'Oh God, this guy doesn't have many reps.' I think it's important to have guys touch the ball, I believe, as a committee, but if you do get a big-time guy like Trent (Richardson) then I'm not opposed to giving him the ball 30 times."
Patriots Ready To Move On From Light, Koppen
The Patriots are prepared to make significant changes along their offensive line.
According to multiple sources, the team is ready to move on from left tackle Matt Light and center Dan Koppen.
New England feels very good about their depth on the line and would prefer not to overpay to keep Light and Koppen.
Tom Heckert Had Heart Surgery
Browns general manager Tom Heckert had a good reason to miss the NFL Combine this month.
He is recovering from recent heart surgery, team president Mike Holmgren said Monday.
Holmgren stressed that Heckert "will be an integral part of the draft process" and would return to the Browns facility on Tuesday.
Donald Driver To Compete On 'Dancing With The Stars'
Packers wide receiver Donald Driver will take part in the upcoming season of "Dancing With The Stars," according to multiple reports.
There was an internet campaign to get Driver on the wildly popular reality show.
Source: Chargers To Cut Castillo
The Chargers plan to release longtime defensive end Luis Castillo rather than pay him a $1 million roster bonus in March, according to a source.
The team has spoken to his agent and he will seek a job elsewhere, but San Diego also made it clear that they want Castillo back.
Castillo, 28, broke his left leg in the season opener on Sept. 11 and the Chargers kept him on the active roster in the hope he'd be healed toward the end of the season.
However, he was ultimately placed him on injured reserve in December.
Griffin III Was 'Inching' Towards Throwing
Like Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III decided not to throw at the NFL combine in favor of waiting for the familiarity of his Pro Day next month.
Buccaneers Pay Rutgers $500K Buyout For Schiano
Greg Schiano's contract with Rutgers called for him to pay a $500,000 buyout if he left before it expired.
Report: Iowa OL Injures Pectoral Muscle
Iowa tackle Markus Zusevics saw his NFL combine workout end early this weekend after he injured a pectoral muscle doing bench presses.
Falcons Don't Regret Trading Up For Jones
The Falcons have no picks in the first round of this year's NFL Draft because they traded up to take Julio Jones last April.
Browns GM Not Attending Combine
Tom Heckert is not attending the NFL combine in Indianapolis because of an unspecified medical issue.
Colts Can't Watch Manning Throw Before Bonus Is Due
The reasons why the Colts are likely to cut Peyton Manning before his $28 million roster bonus is due on March 8 continue to mount.
Indy Wants To Host Another Super Bowl
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said the city did a "fantastic" job of hosting Super Bowl XLVI.
Falcons Plan To Feature Turner With A 'Pitch Count'
Michael Turner is unlikely to top 300 carries with the Falcons in 2012.
Luck, RG3 Meet With NFL Scouts
Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III were able to start making pitches to teams about their value as the No. 1 overall pick on Friday.
Gronkowski Defends Work Ethic, Post-Super Bowl Dancing
A video of Rob Gronkowski dancing after New England's Super Bowl loss went viral earlier this month.
Luck Willing To Play Behind Peyton
There apparently won't be any issues if the Colts retain Peyton Manning and also draft Andrew Luck.
Luck Remains Undecided About Throwing In Indy
The Colts may not want Andrew Luck throwing until his Pro Day in March.
Major Changes Could Be Coming To Combine
One of the possibilities would be to have prospects compete against one another in the 40-yard dash and the bench-press.
Fox Wants Broncos To Run More Traditional Offense
John Fox believes that Tim Tebow can become more of a stereotypical NFL quarterback.
Roethlisberger Restructures Contract
Steelers QB Beb Roethlisberger has reworked his contract to help the team get under the 2012 salary cap.
Jets Leave Door Open For Peyton
The Jets will continue to explore any opportunity that they think will make the team better.
Colts Still Undecided On Peyton, Luck
The Colts have not decided whether to release Peyton Manning or take Andrew Luck with the No. 1 overall draft pick.
Lovie: Forte Will Get Deal With Bears
Coach Lovie Smith believes Matt Forte is going to play football for the Chicago Bears.
Jets Restructure Ferguson's Contract
The Jets have freed up $7.5M of cap relief by restructuring D'Brickashaw Ferguson's contract.
Dolphins Fans Campaigning For Peyton
Dolphins fans are using a billboard and website to campaign for the team to acquire Peyton Manning.