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Here are the latest NFL rumors from the folks at Pro Football Weekly:
|  | | Bengals running back Corey Dillon will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. |
It now appears that the Bengals will retain coach Bruce Coslet, barring embarrassing performances in the final two weeks of the season. The organization has emphasized the value of continuity in recent weeks, and Coslet has been consulted on a couple of roster moves that will impact next season.
Bengals president Mike Brown has indicated the team might make a pitch to re-sign quarterback Jeff Blake to a one-year contract, but it's very unlikely Blake would agree to such a scenario. It's not completely inconceivable that the team would force Blake's hand by using a franchise or transition tag on him.
The Bengals plan to offer running back Corey Dillon, a restricted free agent, a one-year tender worth around $1.25 million. That means any team that signs Dillon to an offer sheet would have to surrender first- and third-round picks to get Dillon.
We hear Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson's frequent criticism of quarterback Dan Marino has not gone over well in Miami's locker room. Dolphins players really look up to Marino and resent the fact Johnson has taken some shots at him.
Panthers guard Nate Newton might be leaning toward retirement. Newton was recently placed on the injured-reserve list with a torn triceps tendon and would like to eventually start a career in broadcasting but says he needs to discuss it with his family first.
Saints coach Mike Ditka on the rumors that have him joining ABC's Monday Night Football after this season: "I would not talk to anyone. I have a contract here. I have no interest in doing anything else. If I'm not doing this, I'll find a golf course somewhere."
Despite what has been a disappointing season, Cardinals quarterback Jake Plummer is confident he will turn things around. Said Plummer: "I did a lot at a young age, in my first year and second year. People expected a lot from me. This was not how I wanted the year to go. I was prepared to have the best year possible. But you've got to take things in stride. I'm going to be a great quarterback. I know that for sure. In a couple of years or next year, everyone will be saying, 'Oh, I knew he could do it.' "
The Redskins have again said that they would like to re-sign running back Stephen Davis, but it will happen only after the season. The team doesn't want there to be any distractions during the season for their star runner. However, Davis has said that if the team came to him to do a deal before the end of the season, he would consider it. He says it wouldn't be a distraction because all the work would be done by his agent.
Giants defensive end Cedric Jones, the fifth overall pick in 1996, has taken his play to a new level in recent weeks. Considered a bust for his first three seasons in the league, Jones has stayed healthy and been on the field a lot this season. In years past, he was always behind Chad Bratzke. Giants coach Jim Fassel has been very impressed with Jones' penchant for forcing turnovers lately.
Some members within the Eagles' organization believe that middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, free safety Brian Dawkins, cornerback Troy Vincent and running back Duce Staley deserved serious Pro Bowl consideration. However, only Dawkins was selected when the NFC Pro Bowl team was announced Wednesday.
Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith might have some vision concerns. He has been to the eye doctor three times since the preseason, but he hasn't elaborated on what his condition is. Stay tuned.
Word out of Arizona is the Cardinals have every intention of keeping defensive end Simeon Rice, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent. If they can't come to terms on a long-term deal, look for the club to franchise him.
Give injured Buccaneers quarterback Trent Dilfer an assist for the Buccaneers' Week 14 win over Detroit. Dilfer went to offensive coordinator Mike Shula during practice and suggested that if the Lions played a three-deep zone, the Bucs should use "Alley" plays, which call for the receivers to run their routes into the seams of the zone. Shula shrugged off the suggestion and didn't incorporate the plays into the game plan. But when Detroit employed a three-deep zone during the game, Shula recalled Dilfer's words and had rookie quarterback Shaun King run the plays, one of which resulted in a 30-yard completion to Reidel Anthony on third-and-17.
Packers GM Ron Wolf says that he will bring back coach Ray Rhodes next season.
Titans linebacker Joe Bowden's agent has been in touch with the team and is willing to negotiate a new contract prior to becoming an unrestricted free agent in March. Such a scenario seems far more unlikely for free safety Marcus Robertson and right tackle Jon Runyan.
Steelers center Dermontti Dawson, who has missed much of the season because of a severe hamstring injury, says he is undeserving of Pro Bowl honors. Dawson was the fans' top choice at center for the AFC team. The fans count for one-third of the vote, with the players and coaches contributing the other two-thirds.
Bills defensive end Bruce Smith received good news last week when an MRI revealed no major damage in his injured shoulder. Smith feared that he might have torn his rotator cuff after he was slammed to the turf by Giants offensive lineman Mike Rosenthal in Week 14. Smith said the play was illegal, and Rosenthal should have been called for holding.
Steelers safety Lee Flowers said last week that several unnamed players have been loafing in practice and not taking their practice responsibilities seriously. He said teammate Levon Kirkland has been "cussing people out, because it's frustrating. We have some guys who get in bad habits (in practice), loaf around. If they get beat for a touchdown in practice (they say), 'Oh, well, I'll make it in the game.' That's bull."
Jets coach Bill Parcells has all but said quarterback Ray Lucas will be the primary backup to Vinny Testaverde next season. Lucas has defeated Drew Bledsoe, Doug Flutie and Dan Marino in divisional games. Entering Week 15, Lucas was the second-rated first-year starting quarterback behind the Rams' Kurt Warner.
Cornerback Tyrone Poole has been an unsung hero of the Colts defense. The secondary has struggled whenever Poole has been out of the lineup. He twice has been sidelined because of concussions.
Defensive end Nolan Harrison's career in Pittsburgh is probably over. Harrison recently suffered his second torn pectoral muscle this season. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent and likely won't be brought back.
Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown has the option to become a free agent after the season, and published reports have connected him to Dallas. But we hear Brown is happy in Oakland and is inclined to stay.
The Bengals hope that cornerback Tom Carter, whom they claimed off waivers from the Bears, is someone who could contribute for them next season, but they still plan to look for another veteran corner in the free-agent market.
Seahawks senior vice president Mike Reinfeldt's name has come up as a potential candidate for the general manager's job with the Houston expansion franchise. But he might be reluctant to take such a job because he feels more comfortable handling salary-cap matters than personnel decisions.
One reason the Raiders released linebacker K.D. Williams, who had started the first eight games of the season, was his less-than-exemplary attitude. Williams' play dropped off after a couple of good games to start the season.
Jaguars right tackle Leon Searcy on beating Denver in Week 14: "We finally beat them. That's a great feeling, because it's hard for anybody to deal with the fact that someone has your number. They've had our number the past two years, and they've sent us home with our tails between our legs the past two years. It's just good to see us send them home on that long five-hour trip back to Denver. That's a great feeling."
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Material from Pro Football Weekly.
Visit PFW's web site at http://www.profootballweekly.com
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