Heath Shuler and Cory Fleming might be able to sell themselves as an act in the NFL. They certainly haven't had much luck as individuals.
Shuler, Tennessee's multitalented quarterback who left school a year early to join the NFL, remains inactive while his agent and the Washington Redskins dither over money. As a high draft choice, Shuler would figure to get a huge contract, but the salary cap changes all that.Fleming, Shuler's favorite target and Tennessee's career leader in touchdown catches, became a salary cap victim on Thursday when the San Francisco 49ers surrendered their rights to the third-round draft pick. It was simply a matter of numbers, since Fleming was asking for $250,000, but San Francisco, sorely strapped by money limits, was reportedly offering only $125,000.
"The negotiations didn't work out and we had depth at receiver," San Francisco coach George Seifert said, adding that the move gives Fleming a chance to catch on with another team.
That's easier said than done, however. Ask New Orleans linebacker Sam Mills.
He's one of the top men in the league at his craft, yet he's making nothing like he hoped to be making this season, thanks to the cap.
He was a free agent, but got no realistic offers.
"I guess that's what the market has to offer me. That's what my value is," Mills said. "So often we look to see what your value as an athlete is out there in the free agent market. It didn't have as much to offer as I thought it would."
When July 15 came and went, Mills' rights belonged to the Saints, who were offering him the flat 10 percent raise required. He'll be making a shade over $1 million.
Redskins
While Shuler remained a stranger, second-round pick Tre Johnson reached agreement on a contract and was expected in camp today. Coach Norv Turner said he wants Shuler in camp, but he's not thinking about it much when he's on the field. What was he thinking about?
"Balls on the ground, missed tackles, guys jumping offsides, balls thrown late, you name it," Turner said.
Chiefs
Kansas City has taken "go deep" to an extreme in scheduling. Before wrapping up training on Aug. 20 at River Falls, Wis., the Chiefs will hustle back home for the debut of Arrowhead Stadium's new grass field, travel to Tokyo for an exhibition against Minnesota and head for Washington for a practice game with the Redskins.
Giants
Left tackle Jumbo Elliott broke his left ring finger and will be out indefinitely. Elliott, who had back surgery in January to repair a herniated disc, injured the finger during the short-yardage and goal-line situation scrimmage portion of Wednesday's practice session. He was examined Thursday, and the finger was placed in a splint. Coach Dan Reeves said Elliott would miss two weeks of practice and wouldn't have full use of the hand for 5-8 weeks.
Vikings
David Palmer, the do-everything threat from Alabama, worked out with the team for the first time Thursday, mostly as a kick return specialist. Palmer, a second-round draft choice, was the last Vikings player to sign a contract.
"Physically, I feel good. Mentally, I don't. It's frustrating because it (signing late) put me behind. But I'm pretty good at catching up."
Eagles
Rookie enthusiasm gave Philadelphia a scare on Thursday when free-agent defensive back Jamie Mendez laid a hard hit on wide receiver Fred Barnett, returning from reconstructive knee surgery. Barnett caught a pass from quarterback Randall Cunningham over the middle. When he turned around, Mendez was there waiting for him.
"I thought he knocked my leg off," Barnett said. "Somebody has to tell these young guys it's just training camp."
Falcons
Safety Scott Case, an 11-year veteran, signed a one-year contract believed worth $250,000. To make room on the 80-man training roster, Atlanta released free-agent running back Tim Lowery. The Falcons opened camp today at Suwanee, Ga., and open the exhibition season July 30 in the Hall of Fame game at Canton, Ohio.
Seahawks
Defensive end Natu Tuatagaloa didn't respond to Seattle's offer of a one-year contract for $162,000, and the Seahawks virtually wrote him off. Tuatagaloa started 15 games for Seattle last season.
First-round draft choice Sam Adams, a defensive tackle from Texas A&M, and second-round pick Kevin Mawae, a center from LSU, are unsigned and missing from training camp.
Packers
Fifty-four rookies, free agents and selected veterans worked out Thursday in jerseys, shorts and helmets. There were no holdouts, which pleased coach Mike Holmgren.
"It's the first time since we've been here that that's happened," Holmgren said. "More than anything else, No. 1, the player who did not participate in camp is at a big disadvantage, in my opinion."
The remaining veterans report Saturday and the squad will be in full pads on Sunday.
Cardinals
Coach Buddy Ryan gave the players three days off, but promised to put them through their paces Monday and Tuesday. From the way Buddy is talking, it could be quite a workout.
"The players, because of their bargaining agreement, have got to get three days off. If I could, I'd make them practice Friday and Saturday, too," Ryan said.
During the three days off, Ryan will work on signing his top five draft choices - linebacker Jamir Miller, running back Chuck Levy, guard Rich Braham, defensive end Eric England, and cornerback Perry Carter.
Steelers
Vacation is over for Pittsburgh. The veterans got an extra week off when the club pushed back the start of training camp in keeping with the labor contract stipulation that veterans can't be required to report more than 15 days before the first exhibition game.
"Hey, it didn't bother me a bit. I liked it," All-Pro center Dermontti Dawson said. "I took a trip, took some time off and relaxed. You can't do that in camp."
Oilers
Lee Williams, expected to start at left defensive end, reported Thursday night, four days late. Williams said his absence was because of his worries about an injured knee.
"I had to settle with myself whether I really wanted to come back and play this season," Williams said. "I didn't know if it was going to respond the way I wanted it to. I didn't want to play like I played last year, hurt."
Chargers
There may be a price to be paid for not re-signing veteran punter John Kidd during the offseason due to salary cap restrictions. Kent Sullivan, who filled in for two games last season while Kidd was sidelined with back problems, hasn't punted the last two days due to a hamstring injury.
That leaves Darren Bennett, a former Australian Rules football player, as the team's only active punter. He is playing American football for the first time.
Coach Bobby Ross called the kicking game "probably the area of maybe the biggest concern right now."
Rams
Los Angeles pulled a surprise move as training camp opened Thursday night, cutting running back Russell White so they could sign running back-kick returner Johnny Bailey. The Rams, loaded with running backs and eager to improve their special teams, decided White had no chance to fit in. He would have started camp behind Jerome Bettis, Cleveland Gary, David Lang and rookie James Bostic and was not considered a threat as a kick-returner.