NFL Rumors: 10 Whispers That May Have Some Validity

Most rumors are garbage, in the NFL and otherwise.

Why?

Because the dressed-up version of telephone played by NFL insiders is really the same thing you played in elementary school, with everyone hearing what they want to hear and only the most tantalizing inferences making it to light.

Sifting through all the half-truths isn't easy, but with a few hunches and some common sense, we just might find a few rumors that hold water.

Or we'll drown.

Either way, we're going to have fun imagining the wild possibilities. Hooray, wild possibilities!

Lance Briggs for Osi Umenyiora

The Rumor

In a recent chat, ESPN blogger Kevin Seifert explored the possibility that the Chicago Bears might trade outside linebacker Lance Briggs to the New York Giants for defensive end Osi Umenyiora.

Why It Makes Sense

Both players grumbled about their contracts last offseason to little avail. For Briggs it was the latest in a long series of disputes, and it seems only a matter of time before Chicago jettisons their perennial malcontent. Why not get some return for him before age reduces his effectiveness?

The Giants, for their part, need upgrades at linebacker and could afford to lose Umenyiora with all of the pass-rushing talent on their roster. Despite all of Briggs' off-field complaints, his play remains top notch. He instantly becomes New York's best player on that level of the defense.

Why It Doesn't

Superstar swaps like this almost never happen in the NFL. Besides, do either of these teams want to solve their rotten egg problem by trading for another rotten egg?

Randy Moss Impresses Saints

The Rumor

Randy Moss worked out for the New Orleans Saints on March 6 and reportedly impressed management. A league source told NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk that the workout "couldn't have gone better."

Why It Makes Sense

Were this any other receiver I'd say this rumor was false—just an agent making waves or common hyperbole. Normal human beings cannot miss an entire year of football and then, at age 35, re-assume their old form.

But Randy Moss is not a normal receiver, or a normal human being for that matter. It is entirely possible that his 2010 swoon resulted from mental disengagement rather than physical breakdown. And it is entirely possible that his abundant athleticism can overcome whatever age and rust has accumulated.

Every sport has their freaks, the guys that defy the standard aging curve, and Moss is the NFL freak par excellence.

Why It Doesn't

Randy Moss is 35 years old, and he just spent a year away from football. Seriously, that's crazy.

San Francisco Not Interested in Peyton Manning

The Rumors

Despite the notion that Peyton Manning would make a good fit in San Francisco, CSNBayArea.com reports that the franchise is not interested in signing the former Colt.

Why It Makes Sense

Amidst all the speculation about where Manning might land, this report saying where he won't land is the most reasonable bit of gossip.

San Francisco won 13 games last year behind a defense that will remain largely intact next year. Quarterback play wasn't a strong suit, but Alex Smith proved himself capable in some of the season's biggest moments.

The 49ers won't risk that progress in a flailing pursuit of Manning. Moreover, it isn't their organizational M.O. to engage in high-profile bidding wars. A Manning chase would require just that, and San Francisco simply isn't interested.

Why It Doesn't

Anyone can see that San Francisco is a good quarterback away from steamrolling the league. And Peyton Manning is a great quarterback. If any franchise knows the value of greatness at that position, it's the 49ers.

Bart Scott to the New York Giants

The Rumor

When approached with the possibility, Jets linebacker Bart Scott told ESPNNewYork's Rich Cimini that he'd play for the crosstown Giants "in a heartbeat." Scott grew unhappy with his role on the Jets defense last year and has requested permission to seek a trade.

Why It Makes Sense

Scott clearly wants out and the Giants need linebackers. By Super Bowl week, the situation was so dire that they summoned Chase Blackburn from his La-Z-Boy to help stop Tom Brady. While it worked on that day, 16-game stretches aren't so forgiving.

Scott likes the New York spotlight, becoming something of a media liaison during his time with the Jets. As a Giant he'd get all of those perks with an enhanced role in the defense to boot.

Why It Doesn't

The question here is the Giants' interest. Scott carries a huge cap number for an aging linebacker coming off a down year. Big Blue might decide there's a lower-risk, lower-cost way of filling the void.

Mike Wallace to New England

The Rumor

CBSSports.com's Pat Kirwan floated the idea that New England would forfeit one of their two first-round picks in order to land restricted free-agent wide receiver Mike Wallace.

Why It Makes Sense

For starters, New England has two first-round picks. If any team could afford to let a pick loose, it's these Patriots.

Mike Wallace is the ideal target, the kind of speedy deep threat the team hasn't had since Randy Moss. The idea that they could somehow re-create that '07 offense must have Tom Brady and Bill Belichick salivating.

Why It Doesn't

The Steelers have made a bevy of tough-minded personnel moves this offseason to clear cap space. The goal is clear: Lock up young cornerstones like Mike Wallace. Since Wallace is a restricted free agent, Pittsburgh will have an opportunity to match any New England offer. You better believe they will try like hell to make the numbers work before letting an AFC rival abscond with their best deep threat.

Curtis Lofton to Tampa Bay

The Rumor

Atlanta linebacker Curtis Lofton is an unrestricted free agent due to hit the market after the Falcons used their franchise tag on cornerback Brent Grimes. Sources say that Tampa Bay's reluctance to re-sign linebacker Geno Hayes is an indication that they'll pursue a big-name 'backer like Lofton in free agency.

Why It Makes Sense

The Buccaneers looked lost after losing Barrett Ruud last year and need a long-term solution at inside linebacker. The team is still young, and an emerging player like Lofton (age 25) would fit well into their future plans.

Tampa also has plenty of cap space, meaning they could probably give Lofton more money than the Falcons, who also have Grimes and defensive end John Abraham on their offseason to-do list.

Why It Doesn't

Lofton is a good, young middle linebacker, and Atlanta would hate to see such a precious commodity in the hands of a division rival.

Stephen Tulloch to the Eagles

The Rumor

Jonathan Tamari of the Philadelphia Inquirer suggests that free-agent linebacker Stephen Tulloch would make a good fit for the Eagles.

Why It Makes Sense

The Eagles had big-time problems at linebacker last year, particularly in the middle. Rookie Casey Matthews was the opening day starter, but by the quarter pole, the spot belonged to second-year man Jamar Chaney. Neither were very effective.

Head coach Andy Reid needs a quick fix next year, or it could be his head. Signing Tulloch would appease the fanbase and fill a major roster hole.

Even better, Tulloch has experience playing behind the wide-nine defensive front the Eagles use. Because that scheme puts inordinate pressure on the insider linebacker, Tulloch's past successes carry extra weight.

Why It Doesn't

The Lions have made it clear they want Tulloch back and will work hard to sign him before free agency starts. The Eagles might not want to cast their lot in the free-agent market after last year's disaster.

Vikings Will Release Steve Hutchinson

The Rumor

In order to clear salary, the Vikings will release Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson in the final season of his record-setting seven-year deal.

Why It Makes Sense

The Brett Favre revival is dead, and the Vikings needs to get younger and leaner. Hutchinson is older, fatter (in the contractual sense) and a generally poor fit for Minnesota next year.

He's still a solid player, but not nearly the top-of-the-line talent he was in his prime. His $6.95 million salary next year is a tab the rebuilding Vikings can ill-afford to pay.

Why It Doesn't

Honestly, I don't know. Perhaps you could argue out of loyalty, but that's not a big motivator in the National Football League (see: Irsay, Jim).

Bills Will Be Aggressive in Free Agency

The Rumor

The Bills have kept a low profile in recent years, but GM Buddy Nix told Buffalobills.com that the team will be more aggressive in free agency this offseason:

"This year if there is a player that upgrades our team considerably we will be aggressive immediately. We’ll go after him. We may get him. We may not, but we’ll get in the hunt.”

Why It Makes Sense

Though they faded down the home stretch, the Bills showed appreciable progress last year, especially on offense. Stevie Johnson is one of the game's better young receivers and Fred Jackson is a fantastic dual-threat when healthy.

The Bills finally have enough pieces in place to think about quality instead of quantity, so adding a player that could vault them from mediocrity to contention is certainly possible. 

Who might that be?

Only the Bills know for sure, but Mario Williams and Vincent Jackson certainly come to mind.

Why It Doesn't

The Bills haven't been active bidders in the past and might well decide that this team is more than one big name from a playoff spot.

Seahawks Will Make a Hard Run at Peyton Manning

The Rumor

Just as the headline suggests, the Seattle Seahawks will make a big-money play for Peyton Manning.

Why It Makes Sense

It's a given that the Redskins and Miami will make strong bids for Manning's services, but there's bound to be at least a third team in the mix. I believe that third team will be Seattle.

Paul Allen is the richest owner in the league, so finances aren't a problem. Seattle has breathing room under the salary cap, so the cap isn't a problem. The NFC West has just one good team, so competition isn't a problem.

And really that last point is the one that sticks out. San Francisco is the divisional bully, but quarterback play remains their weakness. If Seattle can leapfrog the 49ers in that crucial area, they should compete for the division crown.

Why It Doesn't

Seattle can't offer Manning the sort of elite supporting cast he might desire. The defense is strong and Marshawn Lynch is a good back, but the receiving corps lacks star power. Sidney Rice doesn't carry the same appeal as Brandon Marshall or Larry Fitzgerald.