There are player agents all over the Breakers hotel, hoping to get the final upfront dollars that teams are willing to give away to secure veteran talent. There are a few players still available and the contract negotiators for just about every team are down here and willing to do business. Sure, there were other orders of business like instant replay and extending the contract of the commissioner, but I prefer to look for other issues that are less obvious.

The Darrell Russell deal

The deal that caught everyone's eye was Tampa Bay's signing of controversial defensive tackle Darrell Russell. He has the reputation as a problem child, and since his signing is so close to the release of Pro Bowler and everyone's All-American John Lynch, there is much criticism of the decision to sign him.

Before I sat down with Tampa Bay general manager Bruce Allen to ask him why, I checked the Bucs' salary-cap situation and realized two things about this signing: Russell will come to the Bucs for the veteran minimum with no signing bonus; and since his cap charge will not be in the top 51 salaries on the roster, he will not even count on the Bucs salary cap. That's a no harm, no foul deal.

The critics say he's not the kind of guy they want to see on the Tampa roster. I agree, if in fact he acts like the immature, negative force he has been in the past. Allen is taking advantage of three issues to justify the addition of Russell: 1) Defensive line coach Rob Marinelli coached him in college and went out to his home to read him the riot act. If Russell ever wants to play again, he'll listen to his coach; 2) Jon Gruden coached him before and will not hesitate to pull the plug on the guy the second he doesn't do things his way; 3) If he has to go before the season starts, there will be no cap charges left behind.

In my opinion, Allen is betting on his coaching staff, the leadership of Derrick Brooks and the possible hunger still left inside Russell. Will it work? I'm not sure, but with that coaching staff, why not try? The signing really has nothing to do with the termination of John Lynch.

What's going on with Ruben Brown

As I said last week, it will not be long before All-Pro offensive guard Ruben Brown would find a new home. He has three teams lined up for his services, and now it's a question of the right contract. That's where it gets interesting. The draft is fast approaching and the 32-year-old knows there are three to four guards that will be drafted early and expected to start from Day 1. If Brown waits much longer, he will lose at least one of his possible destinations, maybe two.

Eight-time Pro Bowler Ruben Brown is weighing his options.

I asked a few personnel people who studied him on tape this offseason and there were mixed views of Brown. One general manager said, "He holds a lot more than he used to." Another said, "There are very few teams that have two guards better than Brown." And a third person said, "He should take the first deal and be happy." Look for a team with a young quarterback who needs all the protection they can get to sign him in the very near future.

An idea to help NFL Europe

Another subject I had a chance to discuss with NFL coaches and front-office executive was their views on NFL Europe. Most front-office people really like the idea of using the developmental league, while many coaches don't like having legitimate candidates to be over in Europe while offseason preparations are going on at home.

In trying to find a happy medium for both groups, here's my idea: Time the NFL Europe season to complete the fifth game of their 10-game schedule on the NFL draft weekend and then give the six-team league a bye on the following weekend so all the legitimate NFL candidates have the time to go home for the all-important post-draft minicamp. Then the following week start up the second half of the NFLEL schedule.

Almost everyone I spoke to felt this would probably put three or four more solid players on every NFLEL roster. NFL coaches could get a peek at the progress their overseas players were making and the players wouldn't fall so far behind in the installation of the offense and defense. It's worth some consideration.

Whispers from the hotel lobby

Some questions I heard more than once talking with NFL people in the lobby of the Breakers hotel.

1. Why haven't the Cowboys signed or traded for one of these three running backs: Antowain Smith, Amos Zereoue or Corey Dillon? Some believe there's still a slim chance for a veteran signing, but most believe their running back needs will get answered in the draft. I agree.

2. Do you think there are any regrets by the teams that spent big money to sign tenacious cover corners this offseason and now the rules get tweaked to cause more flags thrown on cornerbacks who grab jerseys? Most of the sentiment surrounded the amount of money teams spent on corners, not the rule changes. As one general manager said, "The irresponsible spending on cornerbacks has thrown the whole pay structure out of whack." Another general manager said, "We are our own worst enemy and someone ought to throw a flag on us for the things we do."

3. Finally, with all eyes turning toward the draft as this week ends, it came up more than once that with four picks in the top 63 selections, the Patriots are positioned to fortify an already fine roster. As one AFC general manager asked, "How are we going to catch those guys?"

Well, when I get back to New York it's time for me to turn my focus to the draft and the team needs. I don't believe there are too many teams drafting the best available athletes anymore. Get what you need -- if you can't do that where you sit in the draft, then move up or down. Believe me, there were many preliminary discussions about those kinds of tactics going on down here in Florida.