It looks like Cincinnati is going to try going into talks with Corey Dillon's agent this week. Good luck. This is a joke. I seem to remember last off-season they tried to hash out a deal and Dillon comes out of it saying that he doesn't want to play, they aren't going to pay him what he's worth, etc. Now all of the sudden he's saying that he wants to play in Cincinnati, that he's committed to playing there. I say that he's committed to joining the Charlie Garner club. Which bares a strikingly similar resemblance to the Jerry McGwire club. "SHOW ME THE MONEY." It's not about playing for a championship any more, it's about how well my pockets can be lined. So, pretty much this guy makes me sick.

This opens a whole new can of worms. Free Agency. Eric talked about it before. that there is no longer any loyalty in the NFL. I think that the last players to show any kind of loyalty are gone. Unfortunately, it's beginning to rub off on the players that should be showing that loyalty, such as Jerry Rice. If he loved SF so much, man. take the pay cut, and be the 3rd receiver. Take one for the team. Joe Montana had to do that more than once. In fact, he took a back seat for a couple of games to Steve Young in the '88 season, where Joe eventually took them to the SB over the Bengals.

This also makes you wonder about Stubby. I would love to say that he's a "loyal" player. but is he really? He left for the first team that showed him any $, and when it didn't pan out for him, he comes back with his tail between his legs and takes a smaller contract. Then, when he does come back, there are all these stories about him getting his locker back for a case of beer, wanting his old # back, and Bryant Young acting like it's just like old times. I have to say, I hope it's not like old times. Because if it is, Stubby will feed off of Young again, get his 15 sacks, then go somewhere else that shows him the bucks. God willing, he will stay after we win out next SB in the next 4 years.

Other stories: One that hits close to 49er families, Mike Holmgren's wife had surgery just before the draft for cancer. All of our prayers go out to her and her family.

Billy Jo Tolliver's name is back on the trading block lists. Looks like he signed with the Bears. Man, what a QB group they have. I feel sorry for Chicago, they are in for another bad year. And, if you don't think that Chicago fans don't already know this, go check out www.tradecade.com. Looks like they feel the same for Cade McNown as San Diego felt about Ryan Leaf.

Speaking of Ryan Leaf, some interviews with Charger players have been printed as noticing the difference this year. With Doug Flutie at the helm, and Leaf not there to cause a big scene, San Diego is finally starting to do something. Guess what it is!!! PLAY FOOTBALL!!! Instead of the media circus surrounding Leaf and his stupidity, they are now thinking, "Hey, with a Hall of Fame caliber QB, and a new rookie RB that is seen as being one of the best of the draft, we are shooting for the playoffs." Now, I don't know about that. Their division is going to be tough. My next article will be looking at each division and my picks for the winner/playoff bound for 2001 of each division.

You know what, I have to throw this in here. Charlie Garner still really ticks me off. Whew, I feel a little better. I hope Stubby and Young make a Garner sandwich and wash him down with a Gannon of water. The game is 8/19, so every body be ready.

Ok, other news: Former 49er Rod Woodson signed with the Ravens again. I'm happy this guy finally got a ring, but boy. he sure did stink it up while in SF.

Swann retires from the Cardinals. Nobody saw this one coming. Yeah, right.

Andy Reid with the Eagles was given a bit of a promotion yesterday. Looks like they made him VP as well as head coach. Wow, talk about an ego and pay booster. Now nobody can say, "Hey, that was stupid." about anything he does. He answers only to himself.

And last, but not least. The news is that Michael Vick is going to sign his contract with the Falcons today (5/9). It is worth (get this) a reported 62 million, plus 3 million signing bonus. Oh man. this is what the NFL does not need. It's sending the wrong message to the players in college. "Hey, you don't have to finish school, you don't even have to prove yourself on the field. Just be a good athlete, have a little potential, and you will get over $60 million." It's going to be bad when the owners realize that if the $ amounts go up, the ticket prices will go up, and people will stop coming to the games. It's kind of a sad future. The salary cap is set in place to avoid that, but it goes up every year also. I hope that it's looked at seriously very soon.

Well, I guess I'm done rambling my opinions out there. Like I said, be aware that my next article will be soon. I hope to make a collaboration with another writer here in the Fan Press and have us come up with our picks for the upcoming season.