5 DAYS TILL KICKOFF

New England’s self-imposed deadline to trade disgruntled WR Deion Branch came and went Friday afternoon without any deals, however, sources indicate that the Patriots are still trying to jettison their #1 WR who has been holding out since the start of training camp. The Patriots gave Branch permission to try an d arrange a trade for himself last week and reportedly has received six-year contract offers from both the New York Jets and Seattle. Both offers were reportedly in the $36-39M range, with $13 million worth of guaranteed money. The problem is that neither team has yet offered the Patriots what they’d like in compensation. The Jets, for example, are believed to have offered a second round pick at the 2007 draft, however, New England reportedly wants at least a first rounder plus a middle rounder or a veteran player. Meanwhile, just to spice things up, the NFL Players Association filed a grievance on behalf of Branch alleging that the Patriots reneged on the agreement to trade Branch.....

While the Branch situation in New England will be the headliner this weekend, there are a number of other veterans around the NFL that could be moved or released as teams get down to their 53-man opening day rosters later today. Its not clear, for example, what Tennessee will do with long-time back QB Billy Volek now that the Titans have acquired veteran Kerry Collins to tutor Vince Young, the 3rd player selected overall at the 2006 draft. Meanwhile, Buffalo QB Kelly Holcombe could be available with J.P. Losman installed as the Bills’ starter, while Denver backup Bradlee Van Pelt, who has been displaced as the Broncos’ #2 QB by Jay Cutler, has already been told he will formally released later today. Going the other way, both Indianapolis and the New York Giants could be in the market for a proven backup QB for their respective Manning. A number of veteran RBs also could be available today including Tennessee’s Travis Henry, Duce Staley of Pittsburgh, either of William Green or Lee Suggs of Cleveland, and possibly Ron Dayne of Denver. Teams that could be in the market for at least a quality backup RB include Houston and Miami. There is also an interesting situation developing in Detroit where the Lions are expected to trade or release WR Charles Rogers, one of three WRs the team has selected in the draft’s opening round since 2002; indeed, there are no guarantees that the Lions will keep WR Mike Williams, their #1 pick in 2005, although it appears the former USC will get another year in Detroit. Philadelphia could make either or both of veteran receivers Darien McCants and Jabbar Gaffney available, On the other side of the ball, veteran San Diego LB Donnie Edwards could be had for a 3rd round pick.....


The New York Jets have acquired DE Bobby Hamilton from Oakland for an undisclosed draft pick.....

New England has acquired an undisclosed 2007 pick from Pittsburgh in exchange for undrafted rookie free agent RB. Meanwhile, DE/OLB Jeremy Mincey, a 6th round pick by the New England this past April, was one of ten players released by the Patriots.....


They are breathing a little easier in Arizona where an MRI revealed no structural damage to the non-throwing shoulder of QB Matt Leinart; Leinart sprained the shoulder in last night's pre-season loss to Denver.....


CFB NEWS AND NOTES

Miami WR Ryan Moore has been suspended indefinitely for violation of an unspecified team policy. Moore, a second-tier prospect for the 2007 draft, was suspended from the Hurricanes’ Peach Bowl appearance last season and then was suspended again for the first two games of this year because of previous violations of team rules.....


Prized Mississippi recruit Jerrell Powe, one of the top young DTs in college football, will not play be eligible to play for the Mississippi football team this season after again being denied eligibility by the NCAA Clearinghouse. The 6-foot-3, 330-pound Powe originally signed with Ole Miss in 2005, but failed to meet academic requirements and enrolled at Hargrave Military Academy. He again committed to Ole Miss in February. Powe, who will not be eligible for the NFL draft until 2008, is expected to take the junior college route, although nothing has reportedly been finalized to date.....

Marshall WR Hiram Moore was suspended for Saturday's season opener at West Virginia following his arrest on drunken driving and other misdemeanor charges over the weekend. Moore, a second-tier prospect for the 2007 draft who had 53 receptions last fall, was charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident, obstructing a police officer and driving on a suspended license.....

Former Oklahoma QB Rhett Bomar, a sophomore with three years of eligibility, has enrolled at Division I-AA Sam Houston State where he will be eligible immediately to play this fall if he gets clearance from the NCAA. Bomar and a teammate were kicked off the Oklahoma team this month for violating NCAA work rules by accepting payment for more work than they performed at a car dealership.....

Colorado State junior RB Kyle Bell, a top prospect for either the 2007 or 2008 drafts, will miss the entire season after tearing an ACL in practice. The 225-pound Bell rushed for 1,288 yards last season and scored 10 TDs.....


They are holding their collective breaths at Texas Tech while the school appeals an NCAA decision which denied a waiver to restore the academic eligibility of WR Jarrett Hicks, a top second-tier prospect for the 2006 draft. The 6-3, 210-pound Hicks led the Big 12 in catches per game last season when he posted 65 receptions.....