Encouraging news regarding McKenzie
Packers' DB might be considering return
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 22, 2004
Green Bay - At the same time the Green Bay Packers were pondering their fate at the left cornerback position, there were faint signals being sent that a resolution in the Mike McKenzie holdout could be on the horizon.
It has been widely speculated that McKenzie, in the 24th day of a holdout, would report to the Packers the week before the first regular-season game so he could pick up the first of his 17 weekly checks totaling $2.75 million. During much of his eight-month dispute with the Packers, he has been in Memphis, Tenn., where he conducts his off-season workouts.
Two sources indicated that there were signs McKenzie was considering reporting to camp, one of whom said McKenzie recently stopped training in Memphis and might be preparing to report. Another said McKenzie had discussed the possibility of reporting with friends but was unsure whether he was sincere about it.
Contacted Sunday evening, McKenzie's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, declined to say whether McKenzie's situation was about to change. Asked if reports of McKenzie reporting for camp were true, Rosenhaus said, "You're fishing."
McKenzie has kept a low profile and hasn't allowed Rosenhaus to discuss his situation with reporters, leading mostly to speculation about the cornerback's future. A source in the Packers organization said he was unaware of any talks between the Packers and Rosenhaus regarding McKenzie's return.
Packers negotiator Andrew Brandt, who has kept in contact with Rosenhaus over the past couple of months, did not return a phone message.
The Packers have not shown a willingness to trade McKenzie despite interest from the New Orleans Saints, who are looking to upgrade their cornerback position. Another potential trading partner is the Dallas Cowboys, who are struggling to fill their right cornerback position.
Rosenhaus recently completed negotiations with the Chicago Bears on a contract for his client, defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, who held out of Miami Dolphins camp because of a contract dispute. The trade was made after the Dolphins could not reach agreement with the disgruntled Ogunleye.
Coach Mike Sherman has publicly held a hard-line approach with McKenzie, refusing to discuss his future until he reports to camp. Though the Packers have had discussions with teams about a trade, Sherman is reluctant to deal McKenzie for fear other disgruntled players will make similar demands.
In the meantime, the Packers are still struggling to fill the void McKenzie has left during his holdout. The club would love first-round draft choice Ahmad Carroll to fill the spot in lieu of McKenzie, but that appears wishful thinking after Carroll's frightful performance Saturday night in the team's 19-14 exhibition victory over New Orleans.
Just three weeks away from the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, Carroll appeared Saturday night to be more of a project than a ready-made product. If the opener were tonight, veteran Michael Hawthrone would be the starter.
"There are things that take a little bit of time," defensive coordinator Bob Slowik said of preparing a rookie. "Nobody comes into this league or any league and just knows those things and has them nailed down after three weeks of training camp.
"We're going to have to live with some growing pains."
Hawthorne has had his troubles, as well, and won't offer the same speed Carroll would if he were the starter. Against the Saints, Hawthorne got lucky when quarterback Aaron Brooks threw errantly after receiver Joe Horn got a step on him on a go route. He also failed to get a bump on receiver Jerome Pathon on a third-down play.
The Packers' immediate concern is getting Carroll back on track. Against the Saints, Carroll was penalized three times, once for being offside, once for holding and once for pass interference. In addition, Horn and fellow wide receiver Donte' Stallworth made Carroll look invisible on four slant patterns, all over the course of two consecutive series.
With each one, Carroll seemed to lose confidence in his ability to play the route. He appeared to give a little more ground on each play rather than challenge the two Saints speedsters.
http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/aug04/253279.asp
Niners unsure what Peterson's plans are
Holdout linebacker may return to camp today
By Roger Phillips, STAFF WRITER
If Julian Peterson is planning to show up at the San Francisco 49ers' facility for practice today, coach Dennis Erickson said Sunday that it is news to him.
"I have no idea what's going on with that," Erickson said Sunday when asked about a report Saturday on KGO radio that Peterson was ready to rejoin the team. "I haven't talked to Julian."
Peterson, a two-time Pro Bowl linebacker, has missed all off-season activity, the first three weeks of training camp and the first two preseason games as he seeks a long-term contract from the 49ers.
He is the 49ers' franchise player, which means he has the option to accept a one-year, $6.1-million contract from the team. He has rejected a six-year, $37.8-million offer that includes a $15.5-million signing bonus. But three weeks ago, during an interview on Sirius NFL Radio, Peterson said he plans to play this season and ultimately will accept the one-year deal if a longer agreement cannot be reached.
"I don't plan to sit out the season," Peterson said. "I think that in the worst-case scenario, I'll have to sign the franchise tag."
Erickson said that if Peterson plans eventually to show up, now would be a good time.
"To me, if he's going to come in, it would benefit him to come in sooner than later," Erickson said.
General manager Terry Donahue said he, too, was unaware of whether Peterson was ready to return. Peterson's agent, Kevin Poston, did not return a phone call.
In any event, the 49ers could use a boost. They fell to 0-2 in the preseason with Saturday night's 20-13 loss at Chicago, and Sunday, they learned they will be without starting strong safety Tony Parrish for the next two weeks.
Erickson said Parrish has a torn muscle in his right calf, a problem that began when he was kicked in practice last week. An MRI on Sunday revealed the extent of the injury. Erickson said he expects Parrish to be ready for the regular-season opener, Sept. 12 at home against Atlanta.
For now, though, the 49ers are thin at the safety position. Backup Dwaine Carpenter is several weeks from returning from a knee injury, meaning that rookie Keith Lewis will replace Parrish in the lineup for Friday night's exhibition game at Minnesota.
Elsewhere, there is some improvement on the injury front.
Erickson said rookie receiver Rashaun Woods, sidelined most of camp with hamstring problems, will practice today, as will Pro Bowl center Jeremy Newberry, who is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery.
Erickson added that starting quarterback Tim Rattay, sidelined three weeks with a sore throwing arm, threw Saturday without pain and will get some turns in practice today. It has not been decided whether Rattay will play against the Vikings.
"We'd like him to," Erickson said, "but we're not going to risk him rehurting that thing if he's not 100 percent. We'd rather wait and play him against San Diego (in the Sept. 2 preseason finale)."
Erickson said it is not essential for Rattay to play in the preseason for him to start the regular-season opener.
As for the Chicago game, Erickson had strong praise for the play of the defense but bemoaned offensive penalties and turnovers.
Of the defense, he said, "They communicated better. They were more disciplined as far as the gaps were concerned. They were more disciplined in every aspect. They played hard. They always play hard. Now, they're learning the scheme. They're playing a lot better as a team on defense."
And if Peterson returns?
"For him to get in now so he can learn the defense, the different things we're doing, is going to benefit us and him," Erickson said. "If he came in the last week before the season, we would have to simplify what we do. That would hurt us. And if we stayed with our scheme, it would hurt him."
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