The Ravens received two more contract proposals yesterday from Eugene Parker, the agent for top draft pick Peter Boulware.
Boulware is in the fifth week of a training camp holdout. The Ravens rejected a proposal from Parker on Wednesday, and he was not happy about the team's lack of dialogue.
"We received a one statement rejection," Parker said yesterday. "Usually, there is some dialogue about what you like or dislike about the proposal but I guess the rules change in this situation. I think we've done more first-round deals than anyone else since the salary cap went into effect, but we've never done a deal using this process.
"We'll look at these negotiations and try to work something from another angle. That's where we go from here."
When asked if Boulware, who is making the transition from defensive end at Florida State to linebacker with the Ravens, is prepared to sit out the season, Parker said: "Whether we're prepared to sit out the whole year is not something we're addressing at this point. It's not on the table."
But it's clear that Parker wants a deal similar to Jonathan Ogden's. The Ravens' left offensive tackle, Ogden received a seven-year contract worth $2.2 million per season with buyback and voidable clauses as the No. 4 overall pick in 1996.
Parker said the issues are the value of the total contract and
guaranteed money, not voidable clauses. Voidables are provisions that allow players to terminate contracts before they are up and either renegotiate or get a bonus as a result of the team buying back some of the remaining years.
"People have a hard time relating to a player not accepting $6 million," Parker said. "But would you go on a job, do the same exact thing that a person did a year before you, but make 50 percent less? I think people can relate to that if it's significantly less than the other person."
Texas seeks Morris data
Ray Sumrow, the district attorney from Rockwall, Texas, said the court has formally requested that the NFL provide it with records of the substance-abuse testing procedures that led to Bam Morris' four-game suspension by the league.
"Our subpoena has to do with any documents of the league's testing analysis, who ran the analysis, as well as any testimony that may have been part of the appeal process," said Sumrow, who added he hopes to get a response from the league over the next two weeks.
"Once we get those files, review them, verify their accuracy, then will make a decision on whether there is a significant cause to revoke his probation," he said. Six months before he signed with the Ravens, and while he was still a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Morris pleaded guilty to possession of nearly six pounds of marijuana, after Texas police found the pot in his car. He was placed on six years' probation, fined $7,000 and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.
fTC Morris, who will not play for the remainder of the preseason, has been bumped to the third group of running backs in practice.
Surgery today for Bernstein
Offensive lineman Alex Bernstein will undergo his second surgery today to close an incision that was made in his right shin to treat a bacterial infection called cellulitis.
Bernstein underwent surgery last Sunday at the University of Maryland's Shock Trauma Center to treat the infection which developed after he was kicked in the shin during practice more than four weeks ago.
Bernstein did not feel sick until the train ride to the Meadowlands last Thursday for the second preseason game against the New York Jets.
Vinson knows his place
Tomorrow's preseason game in Philadelphia is especially crucial for free-agent running back Tony Vinson, who probably needs a strong showing to ensure himself a chance to grab the last backfield spot on the roster.
Vinson (Towson State), who ran the ball well in the preseason opener before a knee injury sidelined him against the Jets last week, expects to be used primarily as a fullback. The Ravens want to see his blocking skills.
Steelers visit is sellout
The Ravens' game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 5 (1 p.m.) is sold out, and fewer than 1,000 tickets remain for the game against the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 19 (4 p.m.).
Approximately 7,000 tickets remain for the Ravens' season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 31 (4 p.m.).
Back sidelines Frederick
Defensive end Mike Frederick headed to the locker room near the end of Wednesday's practice with a recurring back problem. He did not practice yesterday and is questionable for the game tomorrow.
Roll call
Jonathan Ogden
Pos.: Offensive tackle
Height: 6-9
Weight: 325
Age: 23
Season: Second
Highlights: Was the first offensive lineman selected in the 1996 NFL draft and the first player selected by the Ravens. Started all 16 games at left guard last season. Allowed only one sack and committed just three penalties. Started all 23 games for UCLA his final two seasons and allowed just two sacks. Winner of the Outland Trophy in 1995, given to the nation's premier lineman. Became only the eighth player in UCLA history to have his jersey (No. 79) retired.
Favorite food: Seafood
Favorite TV show: "The Simpsons"
Favorite band: Outkast
Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii
Best moment as a pro: Being drafted fourth overall in 1996.
Pub Date: 8/15/97
