Byline: Alex Marvez Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
The fates of two NFC Super Bowl contenders took dramatically different turns over the past week.
Bob Ferguson (Arizona) and Jeff Diamond (Minnesota) had helped resurrect their respective franchises through brilliant front-office maneuverings. Both wanted promotions to general manager positions - something only Ferguson received.
Diamond resigned from his post as Minnesota's senior vice president last week after losing a power struggle to coach Dennis Green, who wanted control of all football operations. Diamond negotiated the contracts that kept such key players as wide receiver Cris Carter and running back Robert Smith from leaving via free agency.
Diamond also landed Minnesota an extra first-round pick in April's draft by trading Brad Johnson to the Washington Redskins. Plus, it doesn't hurt that Randy Moss was drafted while Diamond was in the front office.
Diamond was named the NFL Executive of the Year by The Sporting News this spring. But according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Green didn't offer congratulations.
Besides Green's quest for increased authority, Vikings owner Red McCombs reportedly wants to spend less on veteran players and focus on finding younger (and cheaper) talent a la the Miami Dolphins. Such a philosophy could give an aging Minnesota roster a smaller window to win its first world championship.
As for Ferguson, rumors circulated at the NFL's annual meeting in March that he was considering quitting the Cardinals in search for more say with another team. The Cardinals did the wise thing and kept Fergie in the fold.
Ferguson - who worked as Denver's director of player personnel from 1993-95 - orchestrated the trade that brought a draft bounty from San Diego for the right to select quarterback Ryan Leaf. He also helped the Cardinals draft and sign quarterback Jake Plummer to a contract extension.
By the way, the Broncos did the right thing by giving Neal Dahlen the team's general manager title earlier this spring. Dahlen is a big reason why the Broncos are so adept at identifying and signing their young talent to contract extensions before players ever get to test the free-agent market.
Dungy laments
The recent tragedy at Columbine High School deeply affected Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, who also is chairman of the Family First Fatherhood Campaign in Central Florida.
Dungy discussed the incident with his two sons - one 12 years old, the other 7 - and why it's wrong to use guns in anger. Dungy also accepted phone calls about Columbine for 40 minutes on a Tampa radio station.
Dungy believes the shootings emphasize the importance of good family relations between parents and their children.
``In such an incident as what happened in Colorado, you don't see the disease,'' Dungy told the Tampa Tribune. ``You see the symptoms. Relate it to your own health. You feel a little pain and it goes away, but you haven't treated the disease.''
Ouch!
Here's why unsigned rookies should sign insurance protection before practicing for the team that drafted them.
Three players expected to contribute immediately - Buffalo wide receiver Peerless Price (knee), Arizona wide receiver David Boston (shoulder blade) and San Diego defensive end Adrian Dingle (knee) - all suffered injuries during their team's respective mini-camp. Price and Boston should be ready for the start of training camp, but Dingle - a fifth-round pick who made 10 1/2 sacks last season at Clemson - is out for the season.
With the Chargers counting on Dingle to provide an outside pass rush, San Diego has reopened contract negotiations with defensive end Marco Coleman.
Well-rounded athletes
Two graduates of Aurora's Overland High School are taking advantage of the NFL Player Programs.
Tampa Bay cornerback Brian Kelley is receiving his marketing degree from Southern Cal this month while Kansas City safety Vashone Adams is interning at the Hyatt Regency in Kansas City.
Now in its eighth year, the NFL Player Programs assist players in three areas - continuing education, career internships and financial education.
AROUND THE AFC
WEST
The retirement of John Elway gave the Oakland Raiders a chance to lament on the trade that never was. Raiders owner Al Davis contends the NFL sabotaged the deal he negotiated to land the right to draft Elway in 1983. Former Raiders linebacker Matt Millen believes Elway would have more than two Super Bowl rings had he worn the silver and black. ``He would've had the running game and the offensive line he never had in Denver, and our defense at the time was solid,'' Millen said. ``He wouldn't have had to wait all those years for Terrell Davis . . . San Diego quarterback Ryan Leaf is disappointed he never had the chance to play against Elway. Last season, Elway missed a Nov. 8 game against San Diego because of bruised rib cartilage. When the teams met again Nov. 29, Leaf was on the bench behind Craig Whelihan. ``On a sentimental level, I wish I would have gotten the opportunity to play against him,'' Leaf said. ``I'm sad to see him go. He's a big hero of mine.'' . . . Seattle received good news when center Kevin Glover was able to participate in the team's mini-camp. Glover had undergone career-threatening back surgery after getting injured last season.
CENTRAL
Cincinnati free safety Greg Myers hasn't forgotten his roots. Myers - a Colorado State graduate and current Steamboat Springs resident - sent a letter on Bengals stationery to Columbine High School. Myers told the students and faculty they are in thoughts and prayers around the nation . . . Tennessee wide receiver Yancey Thigpen can't wait to start showing critics he was worthy of the five-year, $21 million contract he signed in 1998. Thigpen caught 38 passes for 493 yards and three touchdowns in a season marred by injury and the death of his father and uncle. ``It was a nightmare, really,'' Thigpen said . . . As usual, Jacksonville leads the pack when it comes to signing its draft choices. The Jaguars had the earliest second-round signing in team history last week, signing Florida State defensive lineman Larry Smith to a four-year deal.
EAST
Selfish Player of the Week award goes to Buffalo wide receiver Andre Reed, who skipped the team's mini-camp to protest his contract situation. Reed is scheduled to earn $1.85 million in base salary this year and $2.35 million in 2000 - numbers that hardly seem unfair for an aging player with declining productivity. Reed's absence became even more noticeable when rookie wide receiver Peerless Price suffered a knee injury.
AROUND THE NFC
WEST
Atlanta's Jamal Anderson almost joined Marshall Faulk as the second Pro Bowl running back to switch teams in the off-season. Falcons coach Dan Reeves confirmed he had preliminary talks with New England on draft day, but emphasized the negotiations didn't last long before breaking off . . . San Francisco will consider signing Corey Sawyer to help shore its depth problems at cornerback. Sawyer, who was unappreciated in Cincinnati, has a 49ers tryout this week.
CENTRAL
Minnesota coach Dennis Green remembers when John Elway was being recruited by Stanford University while playing at Granada Hills High School near Los Angeles. ``He was the best quarterback anyone had seen coming out of high school,'' said Green, who was Elway's offensive coordinator with the Cardinal for one season. ``He was clearly the best high school player anybody had ever seen. I don't know if there's been a high school player like him.'' . . . Detroit coach Bobby Ross wasn't happy that running back Barry Sanders skipped the team's recent mini-camp for the second time in three seasons. ``We're coming off a 5-11 (season),'' Ross said. ``One of the things we've wanted was for our older, veteran players to step up and help us in some areas. That's the significance to his being here, and that's why we want him here.''
EAST
Philadelphia is finally warming up to Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb, the team's first-round draft pick. The Chamber of Commerce held a luncheon in honor of McNabb, who was booed on draft day by Eagles fans who wanted the team to select Texas running back Ricky Williams. Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, who had encouraged fans to call Eagles headquarters to campaign for Williams, gave McNabb a Philly cheesesteak as a peace offering. McNabb responded by giving Rendell a jersey with his No. 5 on the back and Williams' No. 34 on the front . . . The odds of former University of Colorado quarterback Koy Detmer making Philadelphia's 1999 roster improved when Rodney Peete was traded to Washington. Doug Pederson will open training camp as the starter with McNabb preordained as his backup. That leaves Detmer battling with Bobby Hoying, the former starter turned trade bait . . . Guard Freddie Childress, a 1989 second-round pick by Cincinnati, is attempting an NFL comeback in Dallas. Childress played the past five years in the Canadian Football League, winning the CFL's Linemen of the Year award in 1998.
INFOBOX
MOVING INSIDE
* Old quarterbacks don't die. They play in the Arena Football League. Here are three former NFL players who are starting in the ``50-yard Indoor War'':
Name..............NFL teams................AFL team
Browning Nagle....Jets, Colts, Falcons.....Orlando
Comment: 5 TD passes in first Arena game
Mike Pawlawski....Buccaneers...............Albany
Comment: Set opening-game record with 369 passing yards
Peter Tom Willis..Bears....................Tampa Bay
Comment: Started for 1998 Arena Bowl runner-up
CAPTION(S):
Photo
Bob Ferguson, former director of player personnel for the Broncos, last week was promoted to general manager of the Arizona Cardinals, a move that bodes well for the team's future. By Steve Groer / News Staff Photographer / 1993.
