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Brown could be leaving Oakland
Posted: Sunday December 12, 1999 01:50 PM
Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King chatted with CNN/SI's Bob Lorenz on NFL Preview before the kickoff of Sunday's games: Bob Lorenz: We find Peter King in Buffalo today and Peter, the Raiders lost Thursday, which means they will likely miss the playoffs for the sixth straight year. But you think things could get much worse before they get better. How? Peter King: Well, absolutely, by triggering a clause in his contract that allows him to exercise his right to be a free agent after this season, Oakland receiver Tim Brown could well be headed out of the Bay area. And let me tell you exactly what is happening. Tim Brown re-did his contract in the offseason so that he would be able to, after this season, get out of his contract and be a free agent. If he chooses to do so, then what will happen is he has to inform the Raiders after the year, and what could happen the Dallas Cowboys will definitely be interested in Tim Brown. Two things going on in Dallas: Number one, they have inquired about Tim Brown in the last two years about trading for him and were turned down. Number two, they may lose a huge salary slot if Deion Sanders chooses to go play baseball as I reported this week in Sports Illustrated. So right now, if Tim Brown chooses to be a free agent his likely destination would be Dallas. BL: Peter, how important has Kerry Collins now become to the New York Giants' playoff chances? PK: He is absolutely vital. I mean the Giants are going to have three former practice squad players playing cornerback for them today, so they are going to have to score a lot of points to win, and Kerry Collins gives them the best chance. And I will tell you a little story why. Last week against the Jets, they called a long touchdown pass to Amani Toomer and it is the first time in 21 times this year that that play was called mostly with Kent Graham at quarterback that they threw the ball deep on that play. It worked, and they get the touchdown. And in this game today, look for Kerry Collins again to throw the ball up four or five times and to give the Giants' receivers, who have more speed than anyone thinks, a chance to win this game. BL: Peter, the league decided not to fine Michael Westbrook because his comments are so far-fetched regarding Byron Boston officiating last week's game with his son playing in it but ... PK: Well, I talked to Brad Johnson, the Redskins quarterback this week and he basically said the same thing, in a controlled way, that Michael Westbrook said. Why is the NFL putting this guy in a position to have his integrity questioned. I checked the NFL schedule the other day, and I looked at every week this year and there is a minimum of nine games every week this season in the NFL that do not involve an NFC East game. You can't find one of those nine games for Byron Boston to work? The NFL absolutely should not have him working an NFC East game. BL: If Mike Ditka was to get fired as coach of the New Orleans Saints, whom might be the Saints turn to? PK Well, one of the most beloved assistants in Saints history is Dom Capers, who is running the best defense in the league right now in Jacksonville. There is no question that Saints owner Tom Benson gives him a call if he dumps Ditka. BL: Well let's get the latest from the notebook and Peter, Ron Dayne won the Heisman last night as College Football's best player but as he moves on to the next phase of his life what do NFL scouts think about him? PK: Well, he is definitely not going to be the first running back picked in the draft, Bob. He will probably be second or third, and the NFL scouts have questions about Dayne for one reason; he is a big guy, and a lot of big guys coming into the NFL have had trouble either because their weight fluctuates so much or because they get beat up and a 258-pound running back definitely could have the tendency to get beat up. Look for him to be either the second or third running back picked. BL: Okay, and the final tabulation Peter Warrick of Florida State finished sixth in the Heisman trophy voting, a pre-season favorite to win has the NFL's opinion of him changed any? PK: Well, the NFL's opinion of Peter Warrick was high before the season and is very high right now. He is going to be a top five pick in the April draft. Peter Warrick was the number one rated player this past week when the national scouting combine met, the NFL has two scouting combines: the national and BLESTO. BLESTO had a different player rated number No. 1, Penn State defensive end Courtney Brown. This is the way it is going to be before the draft. There is no number one pick on everybody's board, Courtney Brown could go number one or Warrick could go number one it might even be LaVar Arrington the Penn State linebacker if he chooses to come out. BL: Barry Sanders, a 1988 Heisman winner, has no interest in playing anymore, but is Barry vs. the Lions over? PK: Well, it is definitely not over. In fact, a week from Tuesday there will be a mediation session between the Lions and Barry Sanders to determine if he has to pay $5.5 million dollars in pro-rated signing bonus back. This is going to be a very contentious meeting because the Lions have not faced off against Barry, but the Lions do have one thing on their side. Everytime a player leaves the organization before he finishes his contract, they ask him for the pro-rated portion of the signing bonus back. So it is not just them going after Barry Sanders, and to me, Bob, it is a longshot that Barry Sanders has a chance to keep that money.
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