NFL NEWS AND NOTES

According to the Boston Globe, Patriots RB Corey Dillon is scheduled to have a $4.4 million salary cap hit, which is a bit high for a player who was used more situationally by the end of the season. So his presence on the roster isn't a certainty. The team has rookie RB Laurence Maroney and third-down back Kevin Faulk under contract for 2007, with Heath Evans and Patrick Pass scheduled for unrestricted free agency.....


The Tennessean reports that one of the first things new Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt wants to do is sign RB Travis Henry to a longer contract. He is not scheduled to be a free agent this offseason but has proven to be a key part of the Titans offense, and they want to keep him happy. "They want to re-do his deal and they want Travis back," Henry's agent said. "We talked about philosophies and Travis' interest in staying there and length of deals and other types of deals for players that have been recent free agents." The Titans are $36 million under the salary cap, so they have the room to give Henry a bigger deal.....

Arizona has reportedly told LT Leonard Davis that the team won't be naming him a franchise or transition player. That would make Davis, the second player taken overall at the 2001 draft, an unrestricted free agent when the NFL signing period starts on March 2nd. Teams have until Thursday to use the franchise and transition tags. Meanwhile, with Davis all-but gone, the Cardinals will be in need of a new left tackle. In fact, Wisconsin OT Joe Thomas is likely the player the Cardinals would love to get with the 5th pick overall this year, however, its unlikely that Thomas will last that long.....


NFL DRAFT 2007

Ohio State junior WR Ted Ginn will be in Indianapolis for this week’s NFL Scouting Combine but won’t be doing much on the field as his sprained left foot is not ready to be tested yet. Ginn, who figures to be one of the top 2-3 WRs selected this coming April, sprained the foot after returning the opening kickoff for a TD in last month’s BCS National Championship game. Ginn hopes to be ready for Ohio State's pro day workouts in Columbus on March 10, but if he's not by then will schedule a later workout for pro scouts. The combine starts Wednesday and runs through next Monday.....


Houston reportedly like to get a second round pick in exchange for QB David Carr, but likely would be willing to settle on a 3rd rounder. Carr was the first player taken overall at the 2002 draft, but the Texans have apprarently given up on the former Fresno State star after 5 inconsistent seasons. To replace Carr, the Texans are expected to look at acquiring a veteran QB, in particular Denver QB Jake Plummer who worked with Texans head coach Gary Kubiak for years when Kubiak was the Broncos’ offensive co-ordinator.....