MIAMI - George Paton isn't getting much rest these days, nor is his phone line. He is the Dolphins pro personnel director, and it's his job to fill the vacancies left by the injury to receiver David Boston and the retirement of running back Ricky Williams.
"I get at least 30 calls a day," he said. "One or two out of every 10 are guys who at least played in the league." But most of the calls he's getting are from hopefuls who played in the Arena league.
"Yeah, I've gotten some letters from prison," Paton said. "Things like, "Hey, I'm getting out in nine months. I've been lifting weights eight hours a day, running 10-yard wind sprints in my jail cell.' The funny ones we'll save and put up."
Paton has fielded more serious inquiries from former backs such as Terry Kirby and Jamal Anderson.
BILLS: Cornerback Kevin Thomas cracked a bone in his left hand and is expected to miss the preseason opener against Denver Sunday. Coach Mike Mularkey said he doesn't expect Thomas to be out for an extended period.
BRONCOS: Cornerback Scott Turner may someday trade in his helmet and pads for a suit and tie, and start passing laws instead of knocking down passes. Turner, 32, an eight-year veteran, worked as an intern in the San Diego office of U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter in the offseason. He was first assigned to process certificates of thanks for police and firefighters who battled California wildfires, but Hunter's staff soon had him in the field, meeting with the public and government officials. He later worked with health officials and representatives of the Defense and Labor departments. He also went to Hunter's Washington office for a few days, meeting with the congressman and military officials and helping do research on legislation. "Scott imparts values to people," Hunter said. "I wouldn't hesitate to lend my support for Scott if he chose to run for the House of Representatives." Turner is nursing a nagging left hamstring injury that has kept him out of practice two weeks. "I'm going to play as long as I can," he said.
CHARGERS: LaDainian Tomlinson is expected to have his record-setting contract extension signed in time for the preseason opener against the Colts tonight. Tomlinson agreed to the richest contract ever for a running back, eclipsing the eight-year, $50.5-million deal signed by Washington's Clinton Portis. Tomlinson's six-year pact will be worth roughly $60-million, with $21-million in guarantees. After a walkthrough Friday, Tomlinson said the reports of his contract extension were "somewhat" but "not totally accurate. I won't say it until it's all done." Also, defensive tackle DeQuincy Scott might avoid hernia surgery, which would have sidelined him for a month.
RAVENS: Running back Jamal Lewis plans on going for another rushing title, despite a looming November trial date in Atlanta on drug charges. Lewis ran for 2,066 yards last season, the second-highest total in league history. He set several records along the way, including a 295-yard rushing effort against the Browns that shattered the single-game mark. His trial is set to start one day after the Ravens play in Philadelphia and six days before a meeting with the Browns. "For me, I just want to get it out of the way," Lewis said. "It's set for November, and that's when we have to handle it. I have a long season ahead of me and we will handle it as it comes along. That is the only thing we can really do."
STEELERS: Backup quarterback Charlie Batch had season-ending knee surgery and was placed on injured reserve. Batch, in his seventh season, had soreness in his knee and doctors found damage after an MRI. Kurt Kittner will replace Batch on the roster. Kittner, a third-year veteran from Illinois, spent the last two seasons with the Falcons. He completed 44 of 114 passes for 391 yards and two touchdowns with six interceptions last season. Kittner will be in uniform at Detroit for the preseason opener tonight.
