Fantasy football QB - Brett Favre

The Green Bay Packers aren't pressuring Brett Favre to make a retirement decision by the April 1 due date for a $3 million roster bonus. "If I don't tell them by Saturday, what will they do, cut me?" Favre told the Sun Herald in Gulfport, Miss.

Favre's retirement plans have turned into pro football's version of Groundhog Day, as fans try to predict the future based upon brief public glimpses of Favre during the winter.

The April 1 bonus due date recently has been interpreted as a deadline from the team's management for Favre to make a decision. If he does return, he told a newspaper in his native Mississippi there is "no doubt" it will be his last season.

Favre said he wants to play again but will return only if the Packers can assemble a winning team. Favre said some days he wants to play and other days he wants to retire. Knowing he can still compete at a high level is making the decision tough, he said.

QB Aaron Rodgers, the team's first-round draft pick last season, is presumed to be in line to take over the starting role if Favre retires. But Thompson said the team would look to add a more experienced quarterback, possibly through a trade, if Favre goes.

Throw Me The Duke!

NFL clubs unanimously endorsed a recommendation to return the name of the official game ball to "The Duke" in honor of the late New York Giants owner Wellington Mara, one of the most beloved and respected figures in professional sports history. Mara died last October.

Mara, who spent 81 years with the New York Giants and made numerous contributions to the NFL, was named Wellington by his father after the Duke of Wellington. He was given the nickname “The Duke” as a youngster by Giants players.

The NFL game ball was known as "The Duke" from 1941-69.

Dolphins Sign Former Niner Beasley

The Miami Dolphins signed fullback Fred Beasley to a one-year contract.

Beasley had spent his eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, serving as the lead blocker for three different 1,000-yard rushers.

He has appeared in 114 regular-season games, including 82 starts. Beasley has rushed for 610 yards and eight touchdowns on 183 carries, and caught 133 passes for 1,017 yards and five touchdowns.

A sixth-round draft choice in 1998, Beasley became a full-time starter for the 49ers in 1999. Over the next five seasons, he led the way for Charlie Garner (1999, 2000), Garrison Hearst (2001) and Kevan Barlow (2003) to rush for 1,000 yards.

Niners Land Pro Bowl Guard

A quiet second week of free agency comes to an emphatic finale for the San Francisco 49ers with the acquisition of former Dallas Cowboys guard Larry Allen.

Long recognized as one of the NFL's premier offensive lineman with 10 Pro Bowls and eight All-Pro selections on his resume, Allen's services were sought by several NFL teams when his release by the Cowboys was announced Wednesday.

The 49ers secured the former Sonoma State standout early on Friday morning.

"He's a future Hall of Fame guard and we are very fortunate to have him here with us," said Vice President of Player Personnel Scot McCloughan. "One of our objectives is to be able to run the football and he's a power full guard who gives us a chance to do that. It helps us control the line of scrimmage, and with several young players on our line, we believe he can help them to develop both on an off the field."

"I'm glad to be back with George," said Allen. "He gives you all the information you need and he's a great coach."

Cowboys Sign Vanderjagt

Mike Vanderjagt, the NFL's most accurate kicker signed a three-year contract Thursday with the Dallas Cowboys.

After depending so long on inexperienced or inexpensive kickers, the Cowboys didn't pass on Vanderjagt, a former Pro Bowl kicker and unrestricted free agent. A story posted on the Cowboys Web site reported that the deal was worth $5.4 million, including a $2.5 million signing bonus. Phone messages and an e-mail to the kicker's agent, Gil Scott, weren't returned.

Colts Nab Vinatieri

Indianapolis has agreed in principle to a deal with kicker Adam Vinatieri, the team announced Tuesday night on its Web site. The Colts make the switch from Mike Vanderjagt -- who misses the least -- to the one who never misses when it matters most.

Vinatieri has hit two winning kicks in the Super Bowl for the Patriots. Vanderjagt's career accuracy rate is the best in the NFL, but twice in his career he missed critical field goals in the playoffs.

One of those also happened to be his last kick for Indianapolis. In January, Vanderjagt badly missed a 46-yarder in the closing seconds that would have forced overtime with eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh.

LB Peterson and Seahawks Look To Deal

The Seattle Seahawks have agreed on the parameters of a new contract with San Francisco 49ers' free agent linebacker Julian Peterson.

Julian's agent said Tuesday evening the contract is for $54 million over seven years and includes $18.5 million guaranteed. The deal is worth $10 million in the first year, $18.4 million in the second and $23.5 million in the third.

A spokesman with the 49ers, who had been hoping to keep Peterson, said the team has been informed a framework for a contract with Seattle is in place. The Seahawks had no comment.

Lions and Harrington Part Ways

The Detroit Lions parted ways with quarterback Joey Harrington on Monday after four turbulent seasons in which the former third overall draft pick went from franchise savior to fans' scourge.

Coach Rod Marinelli declined to say whether Harrington was released.

"We've made a decision to move on," he said. "At this moment, he's not with us. That's been my decision."

Harrington, drafted No. 3 in 2002, was 18-37 as a starter with the Lions under three coaches: Marty Mornhinweg, Steve Mariucci and Dick Jauron, who took over when he Mariucci was fired during the 2005 season.

Smoove on T.O.

I asked our resident insider "Smoove" about his thoughts on T.O. going to Dallas. His take:

"No more speculation. Terrell (T.O.) Owens is officially a Dallas Cowboy.

This is a great addition to the Cowboys.

This one move will most likely elevate Dallas, not just into the playoffs, but deep into the playoffs.

In no way was this a 'BIG' risk."

I have to agree. Just because T.O. is a little (little?) eccentric, doesn't mean he won't fit in anywhere. Besides. remember what he did for the Eagles in '04.

Garcia to Backup McNabb in 2006

The Eagles have signed QB Jeff Garcia to a one-year deal.

Garcia gets the chance to play for a winner and the Eagles get a veteran quarterback who knows how to produce and win. In Garcia's seven NFL seasons, he has thrown for 19,076 yards, 126 touchdowns and has completed nearly 61 percent of his passes. A mobile quarterback, Garcia has also rushed for 1,791 yards and 24 touchdowns during his career.

Garcia led the 49ers to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2001 and 2002. The Eagles can utilize that experience as their backups managed just two wins in seven games last season when McNabb was forced to the sidelines with a sports hernia injury which later required surgery.

"Garcia is a guy who's had a lot of success in the National Football League," said head coach Andy Reid. "He knows how to win football games and he's been to the Pro Bowl multiple times. He's a very smart player and is very familiar with our offensive system. He'll be a great back-up to Donovan."

Josh McCown and Lions Agree to Terms

Former Arizona quarterback Josh McCown agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions Thursday, a move that could signal the end of Joey Harrington's run in Detroit.

McCown is expected to sign a contract Friday, his agent Mike McCartney said. He will become the fifth quarterback on the Lions roster, joining Harrington, Jon Kitna, Shaun King and Dan Orlovsky.

McCown, 26, was with the Cardinals for four seasons and graduated from San Houston State. He started 22 games for the Cards over three seasons and threw for 5,431 yards, 25 touchdowns and 29 interceptions.

Mister2 Was Brand Spanking New?

Many of you have noticed a lack of posting by other members of the StatLeader staff, noticeably Smoove, Rocketman, Johnny Whishbone and me. Well, Johnny has been buried in the details of our new site architecture for the '06 season while Smoove has been busily collecting information for our upcoming draft package.

As for Rocketman, he has been working on the new data routines that will bring even better player point projections along with more data analysis. I, meanwhile, have been working our new top level presentations along with our draft package format.

So what?, some of you might ask (but before you do, just remember, we know how to find you). Why do I mention this? Simple, because of the time commitments the rest of us have had, the burden of keeping regular posts on the site has fallen on Mister2.

Normally the StatLeader team would not bother to notice Mister2's efforts in this area. However, for once we will suppress our natural tendency to heap abuse on him and express our appreciation. Why? Because today marks the anniversary of an event that changed the world (although not much). Yes several years ago today (actually many, many, ...., many, many, many years ago) Mister2 entered this work brand spanking new.

Much like a new car his value depreciated as soon as he was taken off the showroom floor. Unlike an antique car, however, his value never went back up. (notice the use of the word antique here).

I can think of many words to describe something that has been around as long as 2, classic, vintage, etc. but none of them fit here, except perhaps - old. (Better be careful here since I am older than Mister2).

Anyway, all kidding aside, from the staff of StatLeader, yours truly, my wife (your sister) and my kids (your nieces and nephews):

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISTER2

We Love You (even though you're no longer Brand Spanking New)

Rams Bring Back Bruce

The AP reports that the St. Louis Rams agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal with Isaac Bruce - five days after releasing him.

With $7.5 million more available under the new deal between the league and its players union, the Rams were able to welcome back their longest-tenured player, giving him the chance to finish his career where it started. The team had said it hoped to bring him back once the labor dispute was settled.

The 33-year-old four-time Pro Bowl selection was approached by other NFL teams but now comes back for a 13th season that began when the team was in Los Angeles.

Patriots Release LB Willie McGinest

The Patriots cut two-time Pro Bowler Willie McGinest.

The move came a day after an extension to the collective bargaining agreement was reached, raising the salary cap from $94.5 million to $102 million for the 2006 season.

The Patriots already were under the $94.5 million figure, but saved another $7 million by releasing McGinest.

McGinest, 34, is the NFL's all-time playoff leader with 16 sacks and set the single-game record with 4 1/2 sacks in a wild-card round victory over Jacksonville last January.

Rams Release Bruce

Wide receiver Isaac Bruce is a free agent for the first time in his career.

The team cut its longest-tenured player Sunday night. The sides weren't talking Monday, but the Rams remained optimistic about an agreement that would bring Bruce back for a 13th season.

Coach Scott Linehan termed the release a "temporary setback." He blamed the lack of a collective bargaining agreement for the move.

"This CBA deal has kind of put things a little bit out of whack," Linehan said. "I feel very positive about resuming talks and getting that uniform back on our guy.

"We'll do whatever we can to make that happen."

Seattle keeps Alexander

Shaun Alexander has been offered 62 million dollars over 8 years to remain a Seahawk.

Agent Jim Steiner said the deal is the richest for an NFL running back and will pay Alexander over $15.1 million in guaranteed cash, through signing and other bonuses and 2006 base salary.

The league still must approve the contract, and Alexander has yet to sign it.

Labor Talks Break Off

The AP reports that NFL labor talks broke off three days before the start of free agency, leaving teams and players in a quandary about negotiating new contracts.

Gene Upshaw, executive director of the NFL Players Association, spent the last three days meeting in New York and Washington with commissioner Paul Tagliabue.

"We're deadlocked. There's nowhere to go," Upshaw said Tuesday. "There's no reason to continue meeting."

The NFL acknowledged the talks had broken off and said no further discussions were scheduled. The league said it would not extend Friday's deadline for the start of free agency.