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Tom Brady knows his big payday is coming. Elsa/Getty Images

Discussing his contract status, Patriot QB Tom Brady said, "Anybody who chooses to play on the Patriots realizes that that goal supersedes any player goal. You have to make decisions whether you want to be part of this team or not ... I know what's important to me and I know where my priorities lie, and when that decision comes up I'll make a decision based on what's most important to me. I'm still under contract for a couple more years. It comes down to each individual's decision." The Patriots are wise to the fact that Brady is a bargain at his current price. They have made it clear privately that they want to do right by their quarterback and intend to do so. But the fact remains that the time to write him a new deal hasn't arrived.
-- Providence Journal

The pursuit of USC Trojan offensive coordinator Norm Chow by at least one NFL team is expected to begin in earnest this week. Titans Coach Jeff Fisher is expected to speak with Chow as soon as today and possibly meet with him in Nashville this weekend.
-- Los Angeles Times

Free-agent running back Shaun Alexander said that he would play for Dolphins coach Nick Saban and has already inquired about him through mutual friends.
-- Palm Beach Post

Alexander expressed interest in signing with the Bucs if Seattle doesn't work out a new deal with the Pro Bowl running back within the next month.
-- Tampa Tribune

Emmitt Smith, the league's all-time leading rusher, will announce his retirement at a news conference today. Smith, who played the past two years with Arizona after spending the previous 13 with the Cowboys, is expected to sign a ceremonial one-day deal with owner Jerry Jones so he can retire as a member of the Cowboys.
-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Smith has been approached to join an ownership group, led by Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler, in an attempt to buy the Minnesota Vikings, a source confirmed. However, Smith might join another ownership group or join the Cowboys' organization in some capacity.
-- Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Jets running back Curtis Martin said he doesn't expect to play long enough to break Smith's record. If Smith retires, Martin would need to play another four seasons at his current pace to become the all-time rushing king.
-- New York Daily News

Jerome Bettis has spent the past week talking to retired NFL players to learn why and how they decided to leave the game. Bettis, 32, is contemplating retirement after 12 years in the league, the past nine with the Steelers.
-- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It is still unclear whether the Vikings offense will include Randy Moss, who could be put on the trading block during the offseason. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who publicly expressed his disappointment when Moss walked off the field early during a Jan. 2 loss to Washington, said of Moss, "I want him. He's a great player and he makes our offense great."
-- Minneapolis Star Tribune

Culpepper acknowledged that he was "angered" by the loss of well-regarded offensive coordinator Scott Linehan last month, a defection forced by the franchise's uncertain future. In his first public comments since the season ended, Culpepper insisted he has full confidence in new coordinator Steve Loney, saying, "I don't think our offense will miss a beat."
-- Minneapolis Star Tribune

It wouldn't be a surprise if Linehan tries to sign Vikings backup quarterback Gus Frerotte because Miami has had quarterback problems.
-- Minneapolis Star Tribune

The Packers and safety Darren Sharper will know soon whether they are destined to part ways. Sharper has two years left on a six-year, $30 million contract (including a $7 million signing bonus), but the Packers do not think they can live with his massive cap number, which jumps to $8.633 million when the fiscal year begins March 2. As a result, they intend to discuss ways to reduce it with his agent. The Packers haven't given an indication that they want to release Sharper outright.
-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

The only thing certain about the Packers' tight ends position is its uncertainty. Bubba Franks becomes a free agent next month, and although tight ends coach Joe Philbin would love to have him back, he realizes it might be a 50-50 proposition. "He's solid in every respect. And I know coach (Mike Sherman) feels the same way," said Philbin.
-- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Redskins CB Fred Smoot appears likely to hit the open market March 2 as a free agent. Smoot's agent is continuing talks with the Redskins but has turned down a $10 million signing bonus. Meanwhile, Washington is trying to unload WR Rod Gardner for a second-round pick.
-- Newark Star-Ledger

Cowboys offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon, who also coaches running backs, is expected to be named the Browns' offensive coordinator once Romeo Crennel officially accepts the head coaching job.
-- Dallas Morning News

With Crennel expected to take the Browns' job after the Super Bowl, Patriots defensive backs coach Eric Mangini might assume control of the Patriots' vaunted defense. Or he could leave his mentor Bill Belichick for Cleveland, Miami or San Francisco.
-- Minneapolis Star Tribune

John Shoop is the latest NFL assistant to interview with Saints' officials for the vacant offensive coordinator's job. Shoop, 35, met Wednesday with Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and coach Jim Haslett. Shoop spent last season as quarterbacks coach with the Buccaneers.
-- New Orleans Times-Picayune

Look for ex-Vikings receiver Chris Walsh to be interviewed for the Vikings' receivers coaching vacancy. Colts coach Tony Dungy has recommended Terry Higgins from the Lions for the Vikings' vacancy.
-- St. Paul Pioneer Press

In responding to reports that he is a candidate to become president of the Seahawks, Rob Brzezinski, Vikings vice president of football operations said, "I might have been recommended by the league. But I have not heard a thing from Seattle."
-- Minneapolis Star Tribune

Gary Woods, president of the Vikings, told Vikings employees that nothing is imminent on the sale of the team and that they should continue to operate as they have under Red McCombs' ownership.
-- St. Paul Pioneer Press

Contrary to last week's Senior Bowl sentiment that QB Kurt Warner will wind up in Chicago, there comes a dissenting opinion this week. Seems coach Lovie Smith might be all-too-aware of Warner's current limitations, having seen them up close with the Rams before both men left St. Louis. The feeling is that if Smith were ever going to bring Warner to the Bears, he would have done it a year ago.
-- Newark Star-Ledger

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