Terrell Owens might land with Raiders?. Terrell Owens, who drops too many passes for a player with such a high opinion of himself, becomes the best wide receiver on the market, but in a draft deep in wideouts, the Jets, picking 17th, and the Giants at 29, may each take one in the first round. The Vikings, Bills, Colts, Jaguars, Chiefs, Dolphins, Chargers, Bears and 49ers are all teams that could use wide receiver help, but players with damaged reputations usually find a home in one place: Oakland. Owens and the Raiders appear to be a perfect match. — NY Daily News
Torry Holt tells St. Louis Rams he wants out. Seven-time Pro Bowler Torry Holt, a mainstay of the Rams’ Greatest Show on Turf teams, has asked for his release, league sources told the Post-Dispatch on Wednesday. But the Rams still have 12 days to grant his wish. Holt, 32, is due a roster bonus of $1.25 million March 17, so it’s highly unlikely he will be a Ram beyond then. But the Rams could still try to trade him until then, meaning any potential trade partner wouldn’t have to compete for his services, as would be the case if he were released. — St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Chargers Tomlinson to Saints?. As rumors swirl that he is headed to New Orleans and with everyone trying to read into the official silence, LaDainian Tomlinson said yesterday that he still hopes to be a Charger in 2009. “I am optimistic (a restructure) will happen,” Tomlinson told reporters in Texas. “But again, I’m realistic about certain things, and I understand it is a business. Sometimes business decisions are made that are out of our control. But my heart wants to stay in San Diego.” Tomlinson spoke before being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame yesterday along with six others. Tomlinson’s agent and the Chargers are discussing a retooled contract that would save the Chargers some money and allow them flexibility to try to sign other players to long-term deals. — San Diego Union-Tribune
Agent: Burnett might visit with Packers. The Green Bay Packers have set up a tentative visit Saturday for free agent linebacker Kevin Burnett, but it’s possible the Dallas Cowboys veteran will have a new home before that. Burnett’s agent, Ricky Lefft, said Wednesday night that he did not know if his client would still be unsigned by the weekend given interest shown by other teams. But he was leaving open the possibility of a meeting with the Packers, who have shown some interest in the free agent. From the look of things, it appears the Packers are not willing to rush into anything and aren’t interested in going to extremes to get Burnett signed. Given Burnett is built somewhere between a middle and outside linebacker the Packers might have some questions about where he would play. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Leftwich could get call from Titans?. The Titans now have only starter Kerry Collins and Vince Young on the roster. They could still potentially look for a third quarterback either in free agency or the draft. Of the veterans on the market, Byron Leftwich, who worked out for the Titans last summer, is probably the best available. — Nashville City Paper
Free agent Darren Sharper still considering Bears. Free-agent safety Darren Sharper visited the Saints on Monday but left New Orleans without signing a contract. The Bears are high on his list. “The visit [to New Orleans] went really well, and I should know something by the end of the week,” Sharper told the Tribune on Wednesday. “My agent [Joel Segal] is in discussions with [the Saints and Bears].” Sharper does not have a trip to Halas Hall scheduled but said he could sign with the Bears without it. “That’s a possibility,” he said. “I have been there before. I know the city. I know the players on the team.” — Chicago Tribune
Source: QB Patrick Ramsey visited Patriots. The Patriots are at least considering bringing in another quarterback to audition as Tom Brady’s backup. According to an NFL source, free agent Patrick Ramsey visited the Patriots yesterday. Ramsey, 30, a 2002 first-round pick of the Redskins (No. 32 overall), is an experienced backup who could serve as competition for second-year signal-caller Kevin O’Connell, who would be the likely No. 2 if the season started today, and Matt Gutierrez, who is entering his third season. — Boston Globe
Shawn springs ends Philly visit without signing. Veteran cornerback Shawn Springs completed his free-agent visit with the Eagles yesterday without signing a contract. A team source said the Eagles might eventually try to sign Springs, but neither the player nor the team was in a rush. Springs, 33, said defensive coordinator Jim Johnson was more interested in him as a safety than a cornerback. The Eagles, of course, are shorthanded at safety after having lost both Brian Dawkins and Sean Considine to free agency. — Philadelphia Inquirer
Rams struggling to deal Orlando Pace or Torry Holt. League sources indicated over the weekend that the Rams were trying to trade both Torry Holt and another Rams seven-time Pro Bowler, left tackle Orlando Pace. But so far there appear to be no suitors for either player. — St. Louis Post-Dispatch
