Strahan On the Fence

The Giants finally heard from AWOL DE Michael Strahan, who talked to GM Jerry Reese and coach Tom Coughlin on Monday. So at least we know Strahan has made contact with the team, even if it was only to say he hasn't made up his mind about retirement.

Coughlin said Strahan apologized for the timing of the holdout, which has led to rampant speculation that his absence was money-related. Coughlin wouldn't comment on Strahan's reasons for thinking about retirement and said their is no timetable for a decision. However, he did stress that Osi Umenyiora will not be moved to Strahan's left end position. That would appear to make it less likely the team would sign free agent Simeon Rice, a pass-rushing specialist who plays the right side. However, Rice is visiting with the team today -- his first visit since being released by Tampa Bay last week.

Jags Running Game Takes Hit

Injuries to interior linemen don't raise many eyebrows, but the Jaguars suffered a significant blow when C Brad Meester was lost for two months with a broken right foot. Meester will undergo surgery Wednesday and be replaced by Dennis Norman. The team doesn't expect a huge dropoff, but Norman is the team's most versatile backup and the depth along the offensive line becomes a concern with him forced into the starting lineup.

If another lineman goes down before Meester returns, the Jaguars would have to further patch together a line that was underrated last season. With the Jaguars' struggles in the passing game, any dropoff in the running attack could be fatal for Jacksonville early in the season.

Rice Simply a Smokescreen for Giants?

DE Simeon Rice is due to meet with the Giants today and take a physical on Wednesday before heading down to meet with Tennessee officials later in the week. Whether the Giants are trying to send a message to AWOL Michael Strahan or are legitimately interested in adding Rice remains to be seen.

Rice's 121 career sacks is second only to Strahan's 132.5 among active players, but Rice is not yet fully healed from a shoulder injury and he would be used mostly as a situational pass rusher. The Giants will need an every down end if Strahan decides to retire, and they would prefer not to move Mathias Kiwanuka back from the outside linebacker spot he has been working at all offseason. And the biggest issue could be where Rice would play. He is a right end, the same spot occupied on the Giants by Osi Umenyiora, who has made it clear he has not intention of switching to the left side.

The answer could already be on the roster. Third-year DE Justin Tuck appears healthy after spending 10 games on Injured Reserve with a foot injury last season. He has just one career sack, but at 6-feet-5 and 275 pounds, he is the type of physical presence the Giants need to hold up as an every-down player on the left side. However, it's a big gamble to take on an unproven player coming off a significant injury.

Falcons Cling to Crumpler News

New Falcons coach Bobby Petrino said he was excited to have TE Alge Crumpler on the field when the team opened training camp Thursday. It's understandable that Petrino is clinging to anything remotely positive in the wake of QB Michael Vick's troubles and RB Warrick Dunn's back surgery that will sideline him for most or all of August. But there is still reason to be cautious about Crumpler. Granted, he's coming off a career-high eight touchdown catches in 2006 and Petrino's offense is fairly tight end friendly -- Gary Barnidge was third on the team with 31 receptions in 11 games for Louisville last season. But he turns 30 in August and is coming off two seasons of knee pain that resulted in April surgery. And then there's the Joey Harrington factor.

Bucs Gamble On Gaines Out of Gate

Simeon Rice's days with the Bucs were numbered as soon as the team spent the No. 4 overall pick on Clemson's Gaines Adams in April. But the timing of Rice's release on Thursday could come back to haunt Tampa Bay.

On one hand, the team did admirable thing by cutting Rice loose at the start of training camp and giving him ample time to sign on with another team. And there are significant questions as to whether Rice can will ever regain his Pro Bowl form after struggling through a shoulder injury that contributed to his registering just two sacks in 2006 and finishing the season on injured reserve. Rice failed a team physical this week, but even GM Bruce Allen said he expects Rice to play for another team this season.

Meanwhile, Allen and coach Jon Gruden have seriously wratcheted up the pressure on Adams. While he was the most physically gifted defender available in the draft and an excellent pickup at No. 4, Adams is still very raw. He played 7-on-7 football in high school and lacks the array of pass rush moves to consistently beat NFL left tackles. Don't be surprised if he stumbles out of the gates and the Bucs' pass rush suffers for a second consecutive season.

That scenario will prove even more painful if Rice is healthy and abusing quarterbacks for another NFL team.