The NFL
With friends like these, Brett Favre does not need enemies.
Former tight end Mark Chmura, who used to be one of Favre's closest friends, blasted the Green Bay Packers quarterback on a Waukesha, Wis., radio station last week, accusing him of being selfish and greedy in delaying his decision to return to the team or retire.
And that was before Saturday, when Wisconsin reporters flocked to Mississippi for what was supposed to be Favre's big announcement, only to be informed there was nothing to report.
"People who don't think that it's all about him are fooling themselves," Chmura told the radio station. "With a quote like, 'What are they going to do, cut me?' It's all about him."
Chmura, Favre and former center Frank Winters used to be known as the "Three Amigos." Obviously, Favre said adios to Chmura a long time ago.
"Where it's hypocritical is (that) he(Favre) is very critical of (receiver) Javon Walker, (that) he's not a team player, you know he (Walker) doesn't care about the team," Chmura said. "Well, what is he doing now?
"I mean, does he think this is the best thing possible for the team? I mean, they have one quarterback on the roster they like who hasn't even started one NFL game. They have to know. (Favre's) quotes are, 'I am better than the game. I'll make my decision when I want, and (general manager) Ted Thompson and (coach) Mike McCarthy aren't going to tell me what to do.' "
Chmura said he thinks Favre is not being fair to the Packers.
"He's (Favre) a very selfish guy," Chmura said.
Out of Air?
Brett Favre isn't the only veteran quarterback having a difficult time.
Steve McNair, who can't agree on a restructured contract with the Tennessee Titans, found out last week he can't work out at their practice facility until the issue is resolved.
McNair, who's scheduled to make $9 million this year, knows the Titans are going to use the third pick on a quarterback. He also knows he'll be gone after one season of mentoring the first-round pick, possibly Vince Young.
McNair is looking for a deal that gives him a chance to be a starter for more than one season. He won't get it in Tennessee. He could be released at some point.
Baltimore could be his most likely destination.
Memo to fans
For those of you who continue to send e-mails ripping the Texans if they take running back Reggie Bush over Vince Young, get over it.
Like Young, Bush is a fabulous talent and a high-character role model who plans to give back a lot to his community.
Bush is one of the highest-rated prospects in NFL history at any position, and all of you complaining will be standing and cheering every time he touches the ball.
Leinart vs. Young
The Titans have been to the Texas and Southern California pro days to watch Vince Young and Matt Leinart.
They've worked out both quarterbacks privately.
"I think right now we have to call it a draw," general manager Floyd Reese said. "Is that a surprise?"
It's no secret that offensive coordinator Norm Chow wants to be reunited with Leinart, his USC protégé. If coach Jeff Fisher and Reese get input from owner Bud Adams, Young could be picked.
Because Adams resides in Houston, he knows how popular Young is among fans, especially those with ties to the Texas Longhorns. Adams also knows what it would mean in Houston if Young plays in Nashville.
Budding star?
ESPN analyst Sean Salisbury, who played quarterback for the Oilers near the end of his career, is becoming quite the film star.
Salisbury tutored Adam Sandler on how to play quarterback and got a part in The Longest Yard.
In The Benchwarmers, which opened Friday, Salisbury has a part with Rob Schneider, David Spade and Jon Heder.
"I don't know if anyone even remembers that I played football," Salisbury said last week. "I play a villainous guy (Brad) in the movie, a pain-the-rear-end coach, and it was fun."
Playing a villain wasn't all that difficult for Salisbury, whose opinions can cause quite a stir around the NFL.
"I figure some people think I'm not a very nice guy on the air, either," he said. "My day job (at ESPN) is where I'm supposed to be, I know that.
"But to get a chance to be in a movie like The Benchwarmers, well, I plan on this being the first of plenty."
Hired gun
Defensive tackle Sam Adams, a 12-year veteran, has hit it big again. He signed last week with Cincinnati, where he was reunited with Marvin Lewis, his defensive coordinator at Baltimore.
"I'm here to win a championship," said Adams, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens. "I'm another bullet in Marvin's gun."
No reward
Although the Bears won the NFC North last season, they're not giving coach Lovie Smith a new contract. At $1.35 million a year, he remains the NFL's lowest-paid head coach.
Assistants who make more than Smith include: Washing-
ton assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams ($2.6 million); Washington offensive coordinator Al Saunders ($2 million); and Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin ($1.7 million).
John McClain covers the Texans and the NFL for the Chronicle. john.mcclain@chron.com.
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Moulds finally finds stability
The Buffalo Bills wanted to keep wide receiver Eric Moulds, but he wouldn't restructure his contract because he wanted to leave the Bills.
That's why the Texans were able to get him for a fifth-round draft choice.
During his 10 years with the Bills, Moulds played for four head coaches and six offensive coordinators.
He also played with nine starting quarterbacks.
"After playing with so many different quarterbacks and having different coaches, you need a little stability," said Moulds, 32. "Coming here, I know David Carr is going to be the guy at quarterback, and I know the coaching situation is solid.
"With the Bills bringing in new management and new people at the coaching positions, I just felt it was time for me to go in another direction and get an opportunity to play somewhere else
Former tight end Mark Chmura, who used to be one of Favre's closest friends, blasted the Green Bay Packers quarterback on a Waukesha, Wis., radio station last week, accusing him of being selfish and greedy in delaying his decision to return to the team or retire.
And that was before Saturday, when Wisconsin reporters flocked to Mississippi for what was supposed to be Favre's big announcement, only to be informed there was nothing to report.
"People who don't think that it's all about him are fooling themselves," Chmura told the radio station. "With a quote like, 'What are they going to do, cut me?' It's all about him."
Chmura, Favre and former center Frank Winters used to be known as the "Three Amigos." Obviously, Favre said adios to Chmura a long time ago.
"Where it's hypocritical is (that) he(Favre) is very critical of (receiver) Javon Walker, (that) he's not a team player, you know he (Walker) doesn't care about the team," Chmura said. "Well, what is he doing now?
"I mean, does he think this is the best thing possible for the team? I mean, they have one quarterback on the roster they like who hasn't even started one NFL game. They have to know. (Favre's) quotes are, 'I am better than the game. I'll make my decision when I want, and (general manager) Ted Thompson and (coach) Mike McCarthy aren't going to tell me what to do.' "
Chmura said he thinks Favre is not being fair to the Packers.
"He's (Favre) a very selfish guy," Chmura said.
Out of Air?
Brett Favre isn't the only veteran quarterback having a difficult time.
Steve McNair, who can't agree on a restructured contract with the Tennessee Titans, found out last week he can't work out at their practice facility until the issue is resolved.
McNair, who's scheduled to make $9 million this year, knows the Titans are going to use the third pick on a quarterback. He also knows he'll be gone after one season of mentoring the first-round pick, possibly Vince Young.
McNair is looking for a deal that gives him a chance to be a starter for more than one season. He won't get it in Tennessee. He could be released at some point.
Baltimore could be his most likely destination.
Memo to fans
For those of you who continue to send e-mails ripping the Texans if they take running back Reggie Bush over Vince Young, get over it.
Like Young, Bush is a fabulous talent and a high-character role model who plans to give back a lot to his community.
Bush is one of the highest-rated prospects in NFL history at any position, and all of you complaining will be standing and cheering every time he touches the ball.
Leinart vs. Young
The Titans have been to the Texas and Southern California pro days to watch Vince Young and Matt Leinart.
They've worked out both quarterbacks privately.
"I think right now we have to call it a draw," general manager Floyd Reese said. "Is that a surprise?"
It's no secret that offensive coordinator Norm Chow wants to be reunited with Leinart, his USC protégé. If coach Jeff Fisher and Reese get input from owner Bud Adams, Young could be picked.
Because Adams resides in Houston, he knows how popular Young is among fans, especially those with ties to the Texas Longhorns. Adams also knows what it would mean in Houston if Young plays in Nashville.
Budding star?
ESPN analyst Sean Salisbury, who played quarterback for the Oilers near the end of his career, is becoming quite the film star.
Salisbury tutored Adam Sandler on how to play quarterback and got a part in The Longest Yard.
In The Benchwarmers, which opened Friday, Salisbury has a part with Rob Schneider, David Spade and Jon Heder.
"I don't know if anyone even remembers that I played football," Salisbury said last week. "I play a villainous guy (Brad) in the movie, a pain-the-rear-end coach, and it was fun."
Playing a villain wasn't all that difficult for Salisbury, whose opinions can cause quite a stir around the NFL.
"I figure some people think I'm not a very nice guy on the air, either," he said. "My day job (at ESPN) is where I'm supposed to be, I know that.
"But to get a chance to be in a movie like The Benchwarmers, well, I plan on this being the first of plenty."
Hired gun
Defensive tackle Sam Adams, a 12-year veteran, has hit it big again. He signed last week with Cincinnati, where he was reunited with Marvin Lewis, his defensive coordinator at Baltimore.
"I'm here to win a championship," said Adams, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens. "I'm another bullet in Marvin's gun."
No reward
Although the Bears won the NFC North last season, they're not giving coach Lovie Smith a new contract. At $1.35 million a year, he remains the NFL's lowest-paid head coach.
Assistants who make more than Smith include: Washing-
ton assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams ($2.6 million); Washington offensive coordinator Al Saunders ($2 million); and Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin ($1.7 million).
John McClain covers the Texans and the NFL for the Chronicle. john.mcclain@chron.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moulds finally finds stability
The Buffalo Bills wanted to keep wide receiver Eric Moulds, but he wouldn't restructure his contract because he wanted to leave the Bills.
That's why the Texans were able to get him for a fifth-round draft choice.
During his 10 years with the Bills, Moulds played for four head coaches and six offensive coordinators.
He also played with nine starting quarterbacks.
"After playing with so many different quarterbacks and having different coaches, you need a little stability," said Moulds, 32. "Coming here, I know David Carr is going to be the guy at quarterback, and I know the coaching situation is solid.
"With the Bills bringing in new management and new people at the coaching positions, I just felt it was time for me to go in another direction and get an opportunity to play somewhere else
