Cincinnati running back Rudi Johnson expects the team to follow through with a trade involving him, according to ESPN.com. "It doesn't bother me one way or the other," Johnson said. "I'm still going to do the same thing. It's part of the business." According to multiple reports, the Bengals have been shopping the Rudi since Chad Johnson's injury left the receiving corps depleted. "It's always something every year," he added. "They've been trying to get me out of here for a long time now."

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis believes that trade talks involving running back Rudi Johnson are just rumors, according to Cincinnati Enquirer. "It's a rumor," head coach Marvin Lewis said of the reports. "It makes no sense for me to confirm or deny anything involving a player." Cincinnati is rumored to be shopping Johnson for a legitimate wide receiver, with Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh both banged up. "They've been trying to get me out of here for a long time," Rudi Johnson said. "It's part of the league. It's part of the game."

Bears' cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. said the organization has denied his request to either seek a trade or be released, a move that he believes puts him in a bind heading into the 2008 season. The disgruntled Manning Jr. said the request was made through his agent Jim Ivler. "I would have preferred a trade," he said Monday. "My agent asked them to at least seek a trade if I wasn't going to be part of the plans." "Not being a part of their plans, that's fine with me. If that's the mistake they want to make, hey, so be it."

With the Bengals thin at wide receiver because of injuries, sources claim that they are offering Rudi Johnson in a trade for a legitimate receiver, according to ESPN.com. The source told ESPN's Chris Mortensen, however, that head coach Marvin Lewis was "totally unaware" of any trade attempts, but he didn't rule out that president and general manager Mike Brown directed the calls. "Who knows?" the source said. "Right now, a lot of teams are calling each other with all kinds of what-if trade scenarios."

Tony Sparano shot down speculation on ESPN that the Dolphins could be shopping running back Ronnie Brown. "No chance that we're trading Ronnie," Sparano said early this afternoon. "I understand another rumor is flying out there. Last week, it was (quarterback John) Beck. This week it's Ronnie. "There was no discussion of that internally or externally. None." Speaking on Monday Night Countdown, ESPN's Chris Mortensen said Brown could be playing for another team this season. Mortensen based his comment on the fact that running back Ricky Williams has looked very sharp during two pre-season games in which Brown has done little.

The Cowboys have done a background check on Miami quarterback John Beck, but they have not had talks with the Dolphins regarding a potential trade for the 2007 second rounder, according to two sources. After signing Chad Pennington and drafting Chad Henne in the second round, Beck and Josh McCown are in a fight for the No. 3 quarterback slot. According to the sources, the Dolphins contacted the Cowboys - and other teams - about Beck shortly after coming to terms with Pennington.

Drew Rosenhaus made the first request in the spring, although Anquan Boldin denied asking for a trade. Team officials, however, confirmed that request, and sources close to the situation said Rosenhaus recently asked them again to trade Boldin or allow Rosenhaus to shop for a deal. The Cardinals' stance remains unchanged, according to a team spokesman. They have no intention of trading Boldin and are hopeful of signing him to a contract extension. Rosenhaus declined comment, but a source close to negotiations said Boldin is unhappy, does not talk to coach Ken Whisenhunt and wants out of Arizona.

The Patriots will be playing musical chairs with their backup quarterbacks. They have seen too much good out of backup quarterback Matt Gutierrez to release him. They invested a third-round pick in April on former San Diego State quarterback Kevin O?Connell, so he has to be a keeper. The odd man out could turn out to be Matt Cassel, who has one year left on his contract and could leave New England after this season anyway. The former seventh-round pick who has spent the past three seasons in New England could be dangled in a trade with the hope of recouping a late-round pick. Two teams to watch there are the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants, but they might be more interested in Simms or Dolphins' backup quarterback John Beck.

Tampa Bay is preparing to carry Jeff Garcia, Brian Griese, Luke McCown, and rookie Josh Johnson who has really impressed the Buccaneers with his skills and attitude, as their four quarterbacks. Chris Simms is the odd man out, and Tampa would love to get a draft pick in return for his services, but the interest around the league has not been there. Any team interested in Simms believes it can get him once he is released.

The Cardinals? apparent plan is to get through the 2008 season with a $2.5 million salary to Anquan Boldin and then to try to trade Boldin. They plan to re-start negotiations with Boldin later in the season, but unless they?re prepared to pay him in the same ballpark as Fitzgerald, a deal isn?t likely. In the interim, the team won?t give Boldin and his agent Drew Rosenhaus permission to attempt to line up a suitable trade.