The Eagles probably won't be able to trade Terrell Owens, who is expected to be released soon. The Broncos will be in the hunt for his services, but don't count out the Cowboys. Bill Parcells had lunch the other day with Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus. It's an open secret that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones covets Owens.

Running back Edgerrin James insisted this past week he could remain with the Colts. James told reporters at the Pro Bowl he hasn't totally made up his mind after saying recently his days with the Colts were over. "If I was gone I wouldn't have taken off this horseshoe and had a blank white helmet," James said. If James does leave, Denver could be a possibility. The Broncos are looking for a playmaker, but landing James could be tough financially. Expect James to test the open market. If a major deal - James didn't get many bites on the trade market last year - doesn't develop, he could return to the Colts. It may be the best for everyone. He's a great complement to the Colts' tremendous passing game and the vertical game assists James. So don't be surprised if all parties decide Indy is the best place for James.

The man some have preordained the guardian angel for Terrell Owens - should the Broncos acquire the controversial Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver - is balking at such a notion. Rod Smith said Tuesday he wouldn't have a problem with Owens becoming his teammate, but he doesn't plan to be T.O.'s keeper. "One person can't influence a grown man," Smith said Tuesday, his first comments about the issue since Owens met with coach Mike Shanahan on Jan. 30 in Denver. Smith chuckled when asked if he had heard teammates and media say Owens would be a good fit with the Broncos because Smith is a strong leader who could keep him in line. "You just can't expect one person to have that type of control or influence on a person," the veteran wide receiver said. "That's just the way it is." Would he object if Denver were to trade for or sign Owens? "I'm for anything that helps the team, and if that would help the team, I'd be for it," Smith said. "I wouldn't have a problem with it."

Either Terrell Owens or Ricky Williams will be a Bronco in 2006. Yes, one of the two most enigmatic players in the NFL will be a Bronco. Count on it. At this point, the odds are Owens will continue his NFL career with the Broncos, but if owner Pat Bowlen and coach Mike Shanahan sour on Owens, or if they can't come to a contract agreement, the Broncos likely will shift their focus to Williams. The Broncos believe they are close to winning a title. They believe in their locker room. They think one of these two players could be the missing link. They might be right. Denver's offense would be better with either one. But don't expect the Broncos to acquire both Owens and Williams. There's not enough aspirin available for that combo. The Broncos met with Owens last week and will monitor him closely. The team also has been quietly considering Williams.

The Denver Broncos and 12-year veteran center Tom Nalen have agreed to a three-year contract extension. The deal was announced Wednesday. "I'm very happy," Nalen said. "This contract will put me at 37, 38 at the end, and I'd like to play three more years." Keeping Nalen on the team was a priority because of his abilities and his place in team history, general manager Ted Sundquist said. Nalen was a seventh-round pick for the Broncos in 1994. "We wanted to ensure a player who meant so much to this organization would finish his career here," Sundquist said.

The Denver Broncos have had at least two internal discussions about acquiring Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, but the teams have not talked about a deal. The Denver Post, citing two NFL sources, reported this week that coach Mike Shanahan might consider trading for Williams but likely only if the team does not trade for receiver Terrell Owens. The Broncos have a desire to add playmakers at receiver and running back and this week hosted a meeting that included Owens, his South Florida agent, Drew Rosenhaus and Shanahan. The Broncos' preliminary interest in Williams stems from a desire to upgrade a position manned by Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell. Both had good seasons in 2005 -- Anderson gaining 1,014 yards and Bell 921 -- but neither possesses the combination of size and speed that Williams has and Denver wants. Dolphins coach Nick Saban on Wednesday declined to comment on a possible deal with the Broncos, but a source said no talks between the teams have taken place. Moreover, the Broncos have not talked to Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, according to another source. That Williams is available is without doubt, however.