Already did the promo. And he goes with his tattoo of Mickey Muse doing a Heisman pose. Said he already had the tattoo, thinking the smiling Mickey Mouse was indicative of his cheery personality . . . . Steve Young told of his humbling post-Super Bowl Disney experience, how he was the grand marshal of the parade and was fussed over all day, until a little kid waiting impatiently said to him, "Mister, could you get out of the way. I'm trying to get Mickey Mouse's autograph." Kids! . . .
Listening to Gene Upshaw last Thursday, the NFLPA is playing hardball with the NFL on the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. He accused the NFL owners of bickering among each other on how much of the revenues will be shared. Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said that was oversimplified. Let me just warn you: Trying to figure this out is sure to give you tired head, and I'm guessing you will just want to be told of the end result . . . . The 2006 minimum salaries are increasing by only $5,000 over the 2005 minimums. That means the rookie minimum will be $235,000, the third-year minimum will be $380,000 and for veterans with at least 10 credited seasons, the minimum goes to $770,000 . . . .
Also, here are some of the franchise numbers: The top two will belong to quarterbacks and defensive ends, both exceeding $8 million guaranteed for one year. Quarterback rises to $8.789 million and defensive end goes to $8.332. The Cowboys really don't have anyone with an expiring contract that is susceptible to the franchise tag. But for free agents the Cowboys might be thinking of recruiting, just know that the linebacker franchise tag will be $7.169 million, the wide receiver tag will be $6.172 million, the kick/punter tag will be at $2.468 million and offensive lineman at $6.983 million. By the way, Mike Vanderjagt was the highest-paid kicker last year at $2.873 million and Ryan Longwell was sixth at $1.9 million - two guys expected to become free agents . . . .
With Super Bowl week completed and the Pro Bowl festivities starting this week, Cowboys defensive tackle La'Roi Glover will have to high-tail it to Hawaii, being named the replacement for Atlanta's Rod Coleman, who had to leave because of a death in the family. Coleman was the backup to starters Shaun Rogers and Tommie Harris. So this must mean Glover, despite his drop in numbers and playing time this year, finished fourth among the defensive tackles and was the first alternate. Not bad, going six straight times, however you get there . . . .
And on the flight home from Detroit, the gentleman sitting next to me asked what was my highlight of Super Bowl XL. Thought for a moment, and no doubt, getting poked in the chest by Bart Starr when answering my question.
There, let the off-season begin.
