Sam Bradford

Citing “multiple league and media sources,” Profootballtalk.com reports that Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford may refuse to sign a pre-draft contract with the St. Louis Rams. JaMarcus Russell is the only No. 1 pick to not sign before the draft in the last four years. By refusing to sign, Bradford would gain leverage in contract talks.

The move could also spur St. Louis to shop the pick, fearing Bradford might hold out like Russell, or even draft another player. Signing early and reporting on time would give Bradford his best chance to start on day one. Being drafted No. 1 would also give him his best shot at the biggest contract.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Minnesota: The Vikings hosted CB Tye Hill for a free agent visit on Monday. Hill is reportedly deciding between Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee, the latter of whom he met with last week. Both teams are in need of corner help, but Hill’s track record says he would do more to exacerbate the problem than cure it.

Minnesota: Vikings signed DL Michael Montgomery to a one-year contract. A misfit in Green Bay’s 3-4 last year, Montgomery returns to the friendly confines of a 4-3 alignment in Minnesota. He says he hopes to play left end for the Vikes, but at 6’5/285 is more likely to earn playing time on the interior. If Montgomery does see action outside, he’ll back up LE Ray Edwards.

San Diego: Unsigned restricted free agent Darren Sproles is participating in the San Diego Chargers‘ voluntary offseason program. He signed an injury waiver to protect himself. Sproles’ participation could mean that the sides are in long-term contract talks, or at least that Sproles isn’t upset with playing the 2010 season on another one-year tender.

Chicago: Greg Olsen reported to the Bears’ voluntary offseason program on time Monday. Olsen has been concerned that his role would diminish in new offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s tight end-unfriendly scheme, so if the Bears wanted to keep Olsen this year, it’s a good sign that he’s participating already. Still, we’d be surprised if the Bears didn’t field trade offers for Olsen on draft weekend after signing Brandon Manumaleuna to a $15 million deal.

2010 NFL Draft: Northwestern DE Corey Wootton ran in the 4.93-4.95 range in the forty-yard dash at the Wildcats’ Monday Pro Day. Wootton’s ten-yard splits of 1.66 and 1.71 seconds were more impressive. He also had a 32″ vertical and 9-foot long jump. At 6’6/272, Wootton’s best fit is probably at end in an up-tempo 3-4 defense like the Jets’ or Cowboys’.

Sage Rosenfels

The Raiders and Vikings are “discussing the availability” of Sage Rosenfels, according to Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post. A third-stringer in Minnesota, Rosenfels would be a significant upgrade in Oakland Raiders over JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski. According to Lombardi, a former Raiders personnel man with close ties to Al Davis, the Vikings will only trade Rosenfels if they are certain Brett Favre is coming back. Rosenfels could be a fallback plan if Oakland misses out on Donovan McNabb.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Green Bay: The Minnesota Vikings will host free agent DL Michael Montgomery on Monday. Montgomery, 26, can play three positions along the defensive line, but has just five career sacks in five seasons. He’d likely battle Letroy Guion, Jayme Mitchell, and Fred Evans for snaps off the bench if he made the team.

Pittsburg: Ben Roethlisberger will not report to the Steelers’ offseason program on time. The Pittsburg Steelers’ voluntary workouts begin on Monday. Roethlisberger, facing his second sexual assault case in as many years, made the decision in an effort to avoid being a distraction in Pittsburgh. Dennis Dixon will act as the team’s stand-in starting quarterback, with Charlie Batch behind him.

Baltimore: Restricted free agent LT Jared Gaither confirmed that he will report to the Baltimore Ravens’ offseason program on Monday. Better late than never. Gaither also wants a long-term deal. “It would be my dream to stay with the Ravens…winning multiple championships,” he said. “I’d be more than happy to remain here.” Gaither says he didn’t show up last week because he was rehabbing an ankle injury that didn’t require surgery.

St. Louis: Rams RT Jason Smith (concussion) is doing well and participating fully in the offseason program, according to coach Steve Spagnuolo. The No. 2 overall pick in last year’s draft missed the final six weeks of last season after battling concussion-related symptoms. Assuming LT Alex Barron keeps his job, Smith will be the Rams’ starting right tackle in 2010.

2010 NFL Draft: Mike Lombardi of the National Football Post writes that he “keep(s) hearing” Florida CB Joe Haden will not be a top-ten pick. Lombardi calls Haden “a speed-deficit corner,” despite his 4.4 forty at the Gators’ March 17 Pro Day. Should Haden get past the Jaguars at No. 10, the 49ers (No. 13), Seahawks (14), Giants (15), and Titans (16) will all be serious candidates to take him. He isn’t going to fall any further than that.

2010 NFL Draft: Murray State DE Austen Lane ran 4.89 and 4.98 in the forty-yard dash at the Racers’ Pro Day. He also had a 4.44 short shuttle and performed 20 reps of 225 pounds. A dominant small school pass rusher who goes 6’6/274, Lane will likely convert to defensive tackle if he’s drafted by a 4-3 team, or five-technique end if he lands in a 3-4. He’s a late second- to third-round prospect.

Donte' Stallworth and Brady Quinn

The Browns have “no intention” of bringing Donte’ Stallworth back for the 2010 season, according to beat writer Tony Grossi. Stallworth is eligible to be reinstated from his suspension after the Super Bowl. He’s due a $1M bonus in March in addition to a $2.775M salary.

There’s no chance he sees that money. Still, Stallworth will end up receiving $9.6M in total for 17 receptions and 170 yards over two years with the Denver Broncos. The injury-prone 29-year-old will carry a ton of baggage the free agent market and will find it tough trying to land with an NFL team.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Oakland: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Tom Cable will stay on as Oakland Raiders head coach in 2010. Cable did get his team to play hard down the stretch for a second straight season.

Owner Al Davis appears to be going with Cable’s ability to motivate over JaMarcus Russell, who Cable benched in-season despite Davis’ belief that the 2007 No. 1 overall pick is a “great player.”

Cable’s play calling duties are likely to be stripped, however, in favor of offensive coordinator target Hue Jackson. In the last year of his contract, Cable enters 2010 as a lame duck and could be fired during the regular season.

Look for rumors to persist that the Raiders are “gauging interest” from other coaches regarding Oakland’s head coaching job. If the Raiders can find a better replacement, Cable could be dumped at any time.

San Diego: Chargers assistant head coach/TEs Rob Chudzinski has dropped out of the running for the Bears’ offensive coordinator vacancy. Chudzinski’s contract is expiring, but San Diego Chargers is expected to pursue re-signing him.

Another blow is dealt to Chicago’s fruitless OC search, with GM Jerry Angelo already having missed out on Jeremy Bates (originally his No. 1 candidate) and Charlie Weis.

Buffalo: Mike Jurecki of XTRA Sports 910 in Phoenix reports Cardinals running backs coach Curtis Modkins will be named offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. The Bills requested permission to interview Modkins earlier in the week, and the sides reached an agreement by Friday night.

Modkins has a history with Gailey, as the two worked together at Georgia Tech and in Kansas City with the Chiefs for a combined seven years. Gailey will maintain play-calling duties in Buffalo.

Minnesota: Percy Harvin (migraines) participated in Saturday’s practice and team meetings after staying home Thursday and Friday. Harvin is traveling with the team to New Orleans.

His migraines had reportedly lessened by Saturday, but “the problem still lingers.” Barring a setback, Harvin appears likely to suit up Sunday evening, though his exact role remains up in the air.

Cable likely knew this was coming when he heavily criticized JaMarcus Russell a couple weeks ago. Some rumored candidates for the job include former NFL assistant Marc Trestman, Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh, Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, ex-Giants coach Jim Fassel and Packers assistant head coach Winston Moss.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Jacksonville: SI’s Peter King reports that Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio is making calls to potential staff members in anticipation of leaving Jacksonville for USC. Meanwhile, the Florida Times Union reports Del Rio is safe if he wants to stay with the Jags and he is scheduled to meet with owner Wayne Weaver on Tuesday. In light of this latest development, however, it’s possible Del Rio might intentionally tank the “interview” with Weaver to coach his alma mater. Oregon State’s Mike Riley, Washington’s Steve Sarkisian, and Titans coach Jeff Fisher have already turned down the Trojans, who are running out of high-profile options.

Miami: In more coaching news, the Dolphins have fired defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni. Scout.com’s Adam Caplan reports that Miami has interest in Romeo Crennel as a possible successor. The Fins were a top-ten team against the run in 2008, Pasqualoni’s first year on the job, but fell to 18th this past season and his unit was never effective against the pass. New York is in need of a defensive coordinator and head coach Tom Coughlin is a Syracuse alumnus.

Oakland: Free agent DL Richard Seymour said Monday that he will not consider returning to the New England Patriots in 2010. “There’s probably about 31 teams I’d consider,” Seymour said. Asked if New England is among them, he replied “That isn’t something I’m looking to do at all.” Seymour, 30, was clearly hurt when the Pats sent him to Oakland last September.

New York: The New York Giants have formally approached Jim Haslett about their defensive coordinator vacancy, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. However, Schefter says the union “sounds like a longshot for now.” Haslett, 54, stayed busy this offseason by coaching in the UFL.

Washington: The Washington Redskins have reportedly offered Broncos RBs coach Bobby Turner a spot on their staff, with the title of “associate head coach.” This would be an upward move for Turner, who’s only been a position coach in the NFL.

Green Bay: The Packers have denied the Bears permission to interview QBs coach Tom Clements for Chicago’s offensive coordinator vacancy.

Eli Manning: Manning, who has been hobbled by injuries this season, had throwing for a career-high 384 yards and three touchdowns. Most importantly, the New York Giants 6-4) snap a four-game skid with a 34-31 overtime victory over Atlanta. Manning’s strong play compensated for a defense that squandered a 31-17 lead and a running game that lost Brandon Jacobs (right leg injury) in the third quarter.

Tom Brady: Tom Brady had an average day, completing 28 of 41 passes for 310 yards and one touchdown. I’m confused, should he be on the Duds page?

Wes Welker: Welker set career highs in catches 15) and yards (192) as New England pummeled one of the inter-division rivals on Sunday. Welker, who did not play in the first matchup, was a huge on moving the chains.

Matthew Stafford: Stafford enjoyed the best game of his rookie season in Week 11, throwing for 422 yards and five touchdowns, including an epic game-winning strike to Brandon Pettigrew with no time left on the clock to lead Detroit to a 38-37 victory over the Browns. Stafford also became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to toss five touchdown passes in a single game.

Leigh Bodden: Bodden had a huge game as a starter in the Patriots victory on Sunday, picking off B Mark Sanchez three times as New England Patriots defense stifled the rookie quarterback.

Brett Favre: The ageless one continues to be an unexpected model of consistency and efficiency in Minnesota Vikings. Favre completed a career-high 88 percent of his passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns as the Vikings rolled to a 35-9 victory over the Seahawks. Favre completed 22 of his 25 throws for the 9-1 Vikings.

Terrell Owens: T.O. exploded on Sunday, catching nine passes for 97 yards, including a team-record 98-yarder for a score, in Buffalo’s 18-15 loss to the Jaguars. It was Owens’ first 100-yard receiving game as a Bill. The 197 yards represent the third-highest single-game total of his career.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Oakland: Raiders coach Tom Cable confirmed Wednesday that JaMarcus Russell has been permanently benched in favor of Bruce Gradkowski. Russell’s nine-game 2009 stint as Oakland’s starter ends with a miserable 5.2 YPA, 47.1 completion rate, six fumbles and nine picks compared to two TD passes. Russell is widely considered one of the most talented QBs in the NFL, but the problem is he is one of the most laziness as well. It will be interesting to see what Oakland Raiders does in the offseason to address its QB situation.

Miami: According to Dolphins beat writer Jeff Darlington, Ronnie Brown’s season-ending right foot injury is “believed” to be a Lisfranc fracture. The break will likely require surgery and bring into question Brown’s status for 2010 training camp. By late July, he’ll be seven months removed from the injury. A source tells Darlington that the mid-foot fracture isn’t “anything major as far as career or long term,” but Brown will likely miss all of OTA season.

Atlanta: According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jerious Norwood (hip) “looks like a long shot” to be ready for Week 11. Norwood only began to running in consecutive days, which backs up reports that he might not play on Sunday. Jason Snelling says he is preparing to be Atlanta’s featured runner with Michael Turner (high ankle sprain) almost certainly out.

Buffalo: Interim coach Perry Fewell confirmed Wednesday that Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the Bills’ starting quarterback in Week 11. Fewell, the Buffalo Bills’ defensive coordinator before his “promotion” to head coach following Dick Jauron’s firing, has directed his unit against Trent Edwards in practice for the last three seasons. It’s a bad sign for Edwards that Fewell believes Fitzpatrick gives Buffalo a better chance to win.

Tampa Bay: NFL.com’s Steve Wyche reports that Antonio Bryant (knee) is expected to return to the starting lineup in Week 11 against New Orleans. Wyche doesn’t give any details, but the swelling in Bryant’s surgically repaired knee must have dissipated during his three week-layoff. Bryant has averaged just three catches for 39 yards in his six 2009 appearances and now has a rookie quarterback throwing to him.

Chris Simms: Simms, who came off the Broncos bench due to Kyle Orton’s injury, should have refused to enter the game. Simms finished the game going 3-of-13 for 13 yards and an interception. He looked truly lost at QB and the Broncos as a team only gained 36 yards of total offense after halftime. Kyle Orton anyone?

JaMarcus Russell:  I feel so bad for the guy I don’t even want to put him on the list. Russell completed just 9-of-24 passes for 64 yards before being benched on Sunday. Please, please Al, sign quality head coach that can help this kid.

Ben Roethlisberger: Usually up for a big game, Roethlisberger completed only 50 percent of his passes (20-of-40), was picked off once, did not throw a TD pass and finished the game with a passer rating of only 51.5. Not JaMarcus Russell like by any stretch of the imagination, but Steeler fans have grown accustom of seeing more out of their QB.

The Jets’ defense: The Jets defense has been pretty stout the entire season, but the team yielded 250 yards of total offense to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half alone. Even though the Jets were behind nearly the entire game, they had a chance to win until a 15-yard catch by Mike Thomas and a 33-yard grab by Marcedes Lewis to help set up the game-winning kick by Josh Scobee. Once really got away here.

The Eagles’ running game: What has become a regular assurance, Eagles RB Brian Westbrook suffered another concussion and none of the backup players could get anything going against San Diego Chargers defense that was down several starters.

Nathan Nau:  Yes, I will admit it, with the score at 31-21

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Seattle: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Julius Jones experienced bleeding in his lung after being hospitalized Sunday. Jones will stay in the hospital overnight for observations while the Seattle Seahawks travel home. Expect Jones to miss at least two games. Fantasy owners figure to get at least two starts (@ MIN, @ STL) out of Justin Forsett.

Philadelphia: According to NFL.com’s Steve Wyche, there is “speculation” that Brian Westbrook’s second concussion in his last two games could keep him out for a “prolonged period” and perhaps jeopardize his season and/or career. Coach Andy Reid admitted that Westbrook took a “heck of a hit” Sunday and that “football is secondary” in this situation. “We’ve got to look at this kid and for his future,” he added. Wyche suggests that the Eagles could express interest in free agents Edgerrin James and Larry Johnson.

Cincinnati: The Cincinnati Bengals say that Cedric Benson (hip flexor) will be ready for Week 11. Benson also says the injury won’t keep him out, though he probably won’t practice much next week. He finished Sunday’s win over Pittsburgh with just seven rushes for 22 yards, but it was a good sign that he was able to briefly return to the game. Benson has an incredibly favorable Week 11 matchup against Oakland.

Miami: Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown left the stadium on crutches after injuring his right ankle in Sunday’s two-point win over Tampa Bay. “I don’t think it’s too bad,” Brown said, optimistically. “We took X-rays. We’ll wait to see what happens.” Brown also called his injury a “rolled” ankle, but the fact that he couldn’t reenter doesn’t bode well. Miami Dolphins has a short week, playing on Thursday night, so missing next weeks game is a distinct possibility.

Oakland: Raiders RB Darren McFadden rushed just four times for 11 yards in the Raiders’ loss to the Chiefs. McFadden was used sparingly in his first game coming off knee surgery. Perhaps Oakland’s coaches weren’t impressed with his pregame warmups, as Michael Bush started the game with Justin Fargas coming in for relief. It will take a couple of weeks for McFadden to get back in the groove.