If you had any questions about the Chargers' interest in Jason Taylor, scratch them from your thoughts immediately. The Chargers aren't interested in trading for Taylor, according to a source. With Shawne Merriman and Shaun Phillips as the team's main outside linebackers, the Chargers aren't looking for a starting outside linebacker. Plus, they are already down a second-round choice in 2009 from a draft-day trade. The Dolphins still haven't had an offer better than a fourth-rounder for the former NFL defensive MVP.
Taking a stand: Lance Briggs is showing great loyalty to Brian Urlacher, and he should. On NFL Live Tuesday, Briggs said he would wear a No. 54 in support of Urlacher if he misses time at mandatory minicamp or mandatory sessions. Urlacher wore Briggs number in support of him last season when Briggs held out. Say what you want about the Bears defense, but the players are close.
Keeping quiet: General managers around the league are just amazed how little talk there is about roster moves as the June 2 date approaches. On June 2, teams that cut players push off the remaining signing bonus pro-ration into 2009. With $380 million of cap room remaining league wide, very few teams are looking to release a player for cap reasons. Most of those players have already been released if a team needed cap room.
With good reason: There were a couple of reasons the Redskins made the conditional trade for Vikings defensive end
Erasmus James. First, they received a good medical report from a trusted surgeon on his recovery from a third knee surgery. Second, one of the Redskins coaches had him in college. Third, they needed a pass-rusher, and if this trade works out, it will only cost the team a seventh-round pick in 2009.
John Clayton
