Branch will be game-time decision for Seahawks

Branch will be game-time decision for Seahawks
The only Seattle Seahawk not to practice Friday was WR Deion Branch, who will be a game-time decision because of his sore right calf according to the Seattle Times. Branch did some running on the side, but never practiced all week.

"I'm going to go in and keep trying to do enough to show Coach that hopefully I'm getting better and that I can go. But it's his decision."

Branch will have to show something at the Seahawks' workout Saturday.

Virginia Beach wants to be Redskins training site in 2009

Virginia Beach officials have asked the Washington Redskins to consider relocating their summer training camp beginning in 2009, city officials said Friday according to a Washington Post report.

City officials familiar with the talks said the Redskins would train at the Sportsplex, a facility in Virginia Beach. Team officials have asked the city to provide $2.5 million in upgrades, including a weight-training facility and an additional practice field. The Virginian-Pilot first reported the proposal.

The team's relationship with the city stems from the Redskins Beach Blitz, which attracts more than 5,000 fans to the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The third annual weekend event, scheduled for May, includes interactive games, clinics by players and autograph sessions. About 40 players and coaches participate. The Redskins' training camp has been at Redskins Park, the team's headquarters in Ashburn, since 2003.

Hawaii's Brennan sees NFL draft status falter

After a poor performance against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan will have to perform well in the postseason all-star games and at his workouts to keep his status as a second-round prospect in tact the Denver Post reported.

Brennan, a former walk-on at Colorado, raised eyebrows with a poor performance against the only tough competition he faced this season.

Iowa coach Ferentz tells Ravens, no thanks
A day after New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels pulled himself out of the running for the Baltimore Ravens' head coaching job, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz essentially did the same the Baltimore Sun reported.

Ferentz, who was a respected assistant during his time with the Ravens, likely would have drawn significant consideration from the team.

Another factor in Ferentz's decision is that his son James, an offensive line prospect, will play at Iowa this fall.

Titans argue they aren't responsible for Jones
The Tennessee Titans want a Nevada judge to quash a lawsuit seeking damages for a strip club employee paralyzed in a triple shooting that followed a fracas involving suspended NFL player Adam "Pacman" Jones. A judge is due Wednesday to hear arguments by an attorney for the team who contends the Titans had nothing to do with Jones going to the Minxx Gentleman's Club last Feb. 19, and that the team doesn't have enough ties to Nevada to establish jurisdiction for the lawsuit.

Dallas believes offense will go even without T.O.
Like him or not, Terrell Owens makes the teams he plays for better. In the regular season, Owens' teams are 2-8 when he misses a game with an injury the Dallas Morning News reported.

On Dec. 30, the Cowboys became the latest team to discover life minus T.O. when it lost to Washington. Dallas didn't have a touchdown, and Tony Romo and Brad Johnson had a 55.3 quarterback rating. No receiver had more than three catches, and there were at least six drops, including one in the end zone. Dallas, however, thinks the offense will go even without T.O.

"We were getting stuck out there, and we were doing some uncharacteristic things on the football field," wide receiver Sam Hurd said. "We just got to pick up the pieces. There was some confusion out there, but with him [Owens] going out, we all have to contribute a little bit more."

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Atlanta's handling of GM search has many confused

The Atlanta Falcons appear to be moving judiciously in their search for a general manager and a coach according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. However, outsed GM Rich�McKay remains owner Arthur Blank's top adviser in the current search, a dynamic that has several league officials and agents of coaching and GM candidates somewhat perplexed, since McKay has significant sway in hiring his replacement and will remain with the team in a high-ranking capacity.

Green Bay executives John Schneider and Reggie McKenzie have been interviewed for the GM job.

Philadelphia general manager Tom Heckert will interview Monday. Several league officials said Heckert's strong track record and his history with a stable organization — traits that Blank has cited as an ideal model for a GM — could make him the leading candidate for the job.

Miami to interview Sparano Saturday; Frazier later

New Miami Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland will interview Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano Saturday morning in Dallas. However, that will not end the Miami coaching search according to the Miami Herald.

Yes, Sparano is still the front-runner for the job. And yes, Ireland returned to Dallas on Friday, where he will stay until Monday, partly to interview his former (and possibly future) co-worker Saturday.

But the Dolphins' decision to start at the top of their list could be more a matter of timing than priority at this point. Even if all goes well, Miami also will interview other candidates, namely Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.

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