NFL Rumors: Recapping the Week's Latest Buzz and Speculation

It's been another wild week of speculation and rumors as the NFL offseason rolls along, and it's time for your weekly recap of all the latest buzz.

The scouting combine has come and gone, and the 2012 NFL draft is still almost two months away. 

Teams are frantically attempting to lock down their own free agents by either working out long-term extensions or by using the franchise tag to keep their stars from leaving.

It's my favorite time of the year after the playoffs. 

Let's take a look at the latest, shall we?

Romeo Crennel May Have Cost the Chiefs a Draft Pick

According to kansascity.com, comments made by Kansas City Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel at the 2012 NFL scouting combine could be considered tampering and cost the team a draft pick.

When asked about the possibility of acquiring Peyton Manning, Crennel replied:

"I’m not supposed to talk about anyone else’s players. He’s still a player with Indianapolis. But with a talent like that, I would be crazy not to consider it if he were available. I’ll leave it at that."

The NFL’s policy on tampering covers public statements made by team officials. It reads in part:

"

Any public or private statement of interest, qualified or unqualified, in another club’s player to that player’s agent or representative, or to a member of the news media, is a violation of this Anti-Tampering Policy. (Example of a prohibited comment: “He’s an excellent player, and we’d very much like to have him if he were available, but another club holds his rights.”)

"

This would be a terrible start to Crennel's reign as the new head coach of the Chiefs.

Donovan McNabb Says It Can't Work for Peyton Manning in Washington

Donovan McNabb made headlines this week when he said Peyton Manning wouldn't work out if he ended up going to the Washington Redskins.

McNabb told ESPN 980 in Washington recently:

Peyton's not gonna go there...

"

I don't see Peyton ending up in Washington. Because what happens is now you're bringing in another veteran who will be 35, 36, who's been in one offense throughout his career -- it's the same situation [as McNabb in 2010]. 

Peyton is such an offensive coordinator, so now what does that do to your offensive coordinator? Does he step down? Does he step back? Does he, you know, begin to change the whole offense according to the play of the quarterback? that he has in Peyton Manning? Well I didn't see that happen, so I definitely don't see that happening for Peyton.

"

So, what I think I hear McNabb saying here is that since it didn't work out for him, it couldn't possibly work out for Manning. 

Am I wrong?

Draw your own conclusions.

Sebastian Janikowski Attending Anger Management Class

Sebastian Janikowski was involved in an incident at a nightclub in Walnut Creek, Ca. in September of 2010 where he "grabbed and shoved" a woman he thought had been taking pictures of him.

As a result, he is going to be attending 30 hours of anger management/substance abuse classes and performing 30 hours of community service. 

Thank goodness for second chances. 

All I can say is, I'm glad to see he is doing the right thing and facing the consequences like a man. 

Peyton Hills and Mike Wallace Won't Be Tagged

ESPN.com reported earlier this week that the Cleveland Browns will not be franchising running back and Madden Curse believer Peyton Hillis.

Browns general manager Tom Heckert told ESPN:

"

If we can work something out with Peyton (Hillis) we will. Did he have some rough patches during the season? Yes. Were there stretches where things were blown out of proportion? Yes. Honestly, I feel like a lot of that was blown up in the media.

Now, of course things will still come down to the money, but we'll just have to wait and see.

"

This makes me think there might be some consideration by the Browns front office to forego the RG3 sweepstakes and zero in on Trent Richardson.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are not going to franchise their star wide receiver Mike Wallace. This means: "another team could try to sign Wallace to an offer sheet that the Steelers would have the right to match -- or get a first-round pick in return."

This basically means that Wallace might be darn expensive.

Still, he is talented and fast enough to possibly be worth the risk for a playoff team in need of a No. 1 wide receiver.

DeSean Jackson and Ray Rice Will Receive Franchise Tags

Peyton Hillis and Mike Wallace won't be receiving franchise tags, but DeSean Jackson and Ray Rice will. Both players were thought to be in line for the tag, and the latest news confirms it.

Jackson could be traded still, despite the tag. If he does stay on with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2012, his cap hit will be approximately $9.4 million.

It will be interesting to see which way this one goes, but one thing I know is this: it's not over by a long shot.

The Ray Rice situation isn't quite so tenuous. When asked about the possibility of receiving the franchise tag, Rice said, "Yeah, I definitely prefer long-term over franchise tag. I’m not going to complain about the franchise tag, either. It puts yourself in a position where you play that year out and guys have done it, but I prefer the long-term."

Too bad not all players have similar feelings on the matter. 

Rice will play for the Baltimore Ravens in 2012, you can be sure of that.

What's with Wide Receivers and New York?

It seems like there is never any shortage of drama when it comes to wide receivers who play in New York.

Let's start with Mario Manningham, shall we? 

First, Manningham said there was a 75 percent chance he was going to leave the Giants to go play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Less than a week later, he changed his mind and said his words got twisted. In reality, there was about a 50 percent chance he would stay in New York.

Make up your mind, eh?

Plaxico Burress has made it crystal clear he would like to play in Philadelphia for the Eagles in 2012 after a successful return to the league with the New York Jets. 

In an interview with 97.5 the Fanatic, a radio station in Philadelphia, Burress was asked about the possibility of playing in Philly. He responded:

"

Nothing else would make me happier...I just see myself in that offense being out on the edge ... there’s just so many options. I always say you can neutralize speed, but you can’t neutralize size. ... It’s a unique dynamic especially with Mike at quarterback and being able to roll out and get to the edge and run the football in for touchdowns. So, we’ll see what happens.

"

He would definitely improve the Eagles red zone numbers. Burress is one of the best receivers in the NFL at catching balls at their highest point, and he could be a huge upgrade for the Eagles.

Finally, the New York Jets have reportedly shown interest in bringing Braylon Edwards back for another turn to replace newly departed Burress.

Apparently, Edwards isn't opposed to the idea. in response to finding out the Jets were interested in him again, he tweeted the following: 

"The Jets fans were great to me and I enjoyed playing on Sunday's. Don't agree with how they pursued me in 2011 but i just might."

After watching him struggle to do anything in San Francisco in 2011, I can't help but wonder how much Edwards really has to offer at this point in his career.

Seahawks Pursuing Mario Williams

According to a recent report on seattlepi.com, you can count the Seattle Seahawks as one of the teams interested in landing superstar defensive end/outside linebacker Mario Williams in free agency.

ESPN's NFL guru John Clayton told 710 ESPN Radio: "This is from teams in the division. They think that Seattle is going to be one of the main teams (pursuing) Mario Williams. They really do."

Adding a pass-rusher like Williams to an already tough defense would make the Seahawks a ridiculously difficult matchup for teams traveling into Seattle.

Redskins in the Market for a Big-Name Wide Receiver

According to the Washington Post, the Redskins are considering making a run at one of the big-name wide receivers coming in free agency. 

Wait a second...are you telling me Daniel Snyder wants to spend more money in free agency? Perish the thought!

Who am I kidding? We all know he is going to go all in again in 2012. No use letting a few minor franchise-crushing bad personnel decisions in the past cloud our judgement going forward, right?

On the menu for Snyder is VIncent Jackson, Pierre Garcon and Marques Colston. 

Methinks whoever they end up with will need a trigger man to get them the ball...

Drew Brees Contract Situation

Things are getting testy down in Louisiana. 

According to Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis wasn't satisfied with people saying Drew Brees was a "great quarterback," saying instead that Brees was "very good" in response.

This isn't the kind of news that makes Saints fans all warm and fuzzy about the future of their team.

Additionally, ESPN recently reported that Brees and the Saints remain "far apart" in their negotiations for a long-term deal and the club is considering using the franchise tag on their superstar quarterback to keep him from hitting the open market in a couple of weeks.

If they are forced to franchise Brees, the likelihood of the Saints losing either Robert Meachem or Carl Nicks through free agency will be greater than if they get a long-term deal done.

All this after Brees broke Dan Marino's NFL passing record. It's a tough business, folks.

Hinds Ward Released by Steelers

In one of the biggest stories of the week, the Pittsburgh Steelers have said they plan on releasing 14-year veteran wide receiver Hines Ward.

Ward isn't a fan of the news. He wanted to finish out his career in the steel city, but this is a clear example of the business side of the NFL. If guys like Joe Montana and Brett Favre aren't excluded from this aspect of the reality of football, then Ward is no different.

In a thoughtful and touching farewell, Ward said:

"

This isn't how I wanted this chapter of my career to end I did everything in my power to remain a Steeler and finish what I started here 14 years ago.

I want to thank the organization, my teammates and coaches and everyone who made my run as a Steeler the best years of my life. To Mr. Rooney [Mr. Ward did not specify whether he meant Dan Rooney, the team chairman emeritus, or Art Rooney II, the team president], thank you for allowing me to play for one of the greatest organizations in the world. To my fans and in particular, Steeler Nation, thank you for your support and all the great memories.

"

While it's not certain whether or not Ward will end up on an NFL roster in 2012, I am certain he belongs in the Hall of Fame as soon as he's eligible.

Thank you for reading, and have a fantastic weekend.

Follow @JesseReed78