POSTED 4-16-07

As the free agency period slows to a crawl, attention shifts inward with several teams reworking veteran contracts. Now begins a waiting game as the NFL Draft nears. Several players and picks are on the block. Just don't expect to see much movement until just before the draft. Who will blink first? Here are five storylines you should be following this week:

OPTIONS AT NO. 1
Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin has said all options are on the table as the team mulls what route to take with the No. 1 overall pick in the April 28 NFL Draft. The team has already met with Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson, the concensus top player in the draft. LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell is expected to visit with team officials this week. But Kiffin has said trading down is another possibility. While most draftniks believe the Raiders will draft Russell, don't be surprised if Oakland opts to stockpile picks and move down on draft day.

QB QUANDRY
The Miami Dolphins held a mini-camp over the weekend and Daunte Culpepper was on the sideline while Cleo Lemon and Gibran Hamdan ran the offense. Lemon and Hamdan are the only active quarterbacks on the roster while Culpepper recovers from a Nov. 30 surgery on his knee — the second in a year. The reality of the situation lends to speculation that the Dolphins will attempt to trade for Kansas City veteran Trent Green or move up in the draft to get Notre Dame's Brady Quinn. The skinny: Don't bet on Lemon starting.

NFL TIGHTENS GRIP
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ushered in a new era of accountability on Tuesday by suspending Tennessee cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones and Cincinnati receiver Chris Henry for off-the-field transgressions. Jones, arrested five times since being drafted in April 2005, was suspended the entire season. Henry, who has had several run-ins with the law, earned an eight-game ban. The biggest impact from a fantasy standpoint could be with the Bengals offense. It's one less weapon for Carson Palmer.

BACKING UP
Several quarterbacks were on the move in the last week. Former Houston starter David Carr signed a two-year, $6 million deal to be the backup in Carolina. Much-traveled Anhony Wright, most recently the backup in Cincinnati, signed a two-year deal with the New York Giants. Former Miami starter Joey Harrington signed with Atlanta after the Falcons traded backup Matt Schaub to Houston for three draft picks. Schaub will be the starter in Houston. He's the only player with fantasy value — for now.

DEAL FOR DILLON?
Veteran running back Corey Dillon, who asked for and was granted his release by New England last month, has drawn the interest of Tennessee, Buffalo, St. Louis and Philadelphia. But don't expect him to sign with anyone until after the draft. Dropping Dillon saved the Patriots $4.4 million. Despite a career-best 13 touchdowns in 2006, Dillon became expendable with the development of young stud Laurence Maroney. Given the right situation, Dillon still has mileage left. Bargain hunters pay attention.



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