The uproar continued Monday over the Wonderlic test results for University of Texas quarterback Vince Young. After some media outlets last weekend reported Young scored a 6 -- one of the lowest scores ever for a quarterback projected to be a high first-round draft choice -- Houston general manager Charley Casserly said the results were wrong. Now, those same media outlets are reporting that Young scored a 16 -- though it's not clear if that was after he took the test a second time or if that was the original score.

It doesn't matter. The damage has been done, with Young forever associated with a low score that might or might not be accurate. And while you can bet the NFL scouting combine will launch an investigation to find out where the original report emanated from, coaches here placed a large part of the blame on Young's agent, Major Adams.

They insist that he should have schooled his client on testing for a Wonderlic, a test where the maximum score is 50. All draft-eligible players know they must take it, and virtually all are prepped for it.

I say "virtually" because it's apparent Young wasn't one of them. I don't care what you think of the test, but you better be ready for what's coming because it can affect your draft standing and your career.

And Vince Young may have just found out. ...

... Colorado wide receiver Jeremy Bloom ran a 4.49 after almost no recent training for the 40, which will only boost his stock more. Bloom, who recently returned from the Olympics, said he believes any team that signs him will include a clause preventing him from a return to skiing -- or at least covering him if he picks up the sport.

"I think Kellen Winslow took care of that," he said. "I would expect it, and I'll be fine with that."

Maryland tight end Vernon Davis ran a 4.38 in the 40 Monday at the combine. Not only is that fast, did we mention that he's a tight end.

Wow.

Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler helped himself with Sunday's performance in quarterback drills. According to one offensive coordinator, Cutler was "so accurate it was uncanny," even though he conceded that Cutler appeared "a little stiff-legged."

Cutler was the only one of the top three quarterbacks in this year's draft to throw at Sunday's workout. Matt Leinart and Vince Young did not.

"The guy's a freak," an NFL assistant said of Cutler. "He's very accurate. He probably helped himself here. If you ask me, he's the best player in the draft."

His enthusiasm is shared by others, though most have him behind Leinart and Young in the pecking order of quarterbacks. The feeling is that Cutler and Leinart are known quantities ready to step in and perform, while Young has the greater upside -- someone you may have to wait on for two years.

That could be perfect for a club like, say, Tennessee, which could play veteran Steve McNair one season, then work in Young the next. The Titans have the third pick of the draft.

"I dunno," said one AFC coach, "you better be awfully sure about the guy before making him your franchise quarterback. There are a lot of red flags there."

Stay tuned. ...

... One of the weekend's big winners was Ohio State defensive lineman Mike Kudla, who, NFL officials said, tied the combine weight-lifting record by pushing 225 pounds 45 times. Kudla's personal best is 52, set last June.

"I was kind of keyed up to break the record," said Kudla. "I had 46 right there, but I couldn't get that last inch with my right arm."

Kudla was one of several defensive linemen brought to the media room on Saturday, but NFL officials had him at a table. A day later he was taken to one of the two podiums -- usually reserved for the high-profile players.

"It's been a good day," said Kudla. ...

... The Baltimore Ravens are interested in a quarterback, and color them eligible for either Daunte Culpepper or Drew Brees -- provided either comes loose. One problem: Both are recovering from serious injuries. Culpepper tore ligaments in his right knee last season, while Brees underwent surgery for a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Brees' injury is so significant at least one coach questioned if he could play this season, and count on the Ravens to investigate. That doesn't mean they've given up on Kyle Boller. They haven't. But they're interested in pushing the guy with a veteran -- and if it's not one of these two it could be one of a handful of others the club targeted. ...

... The most impressive time this weekend was not the 4.32 turned in by Florida wide receiver Chad Jackson. That was good, but it took second to the 5.07 of Auburn's Marcus McNeill. McNeill is a tackle, and a huge one. He's 6-8, 338. Now imagine driving that body over 40 yards in five seconds. Yeah, as I said, impressive ... There is concern about a hitch in the motion of Bowling Green's Omar Jacobs. Though Jacobs showed a strong arm Sunday, several NFL observers worried about his mechanics -- with several re-enacting the stop-and-go hitch they observed ... Let's see, North Carolina State had Manny Lawson as one defensive end and Mario Williams as the other. So who was better? " I know who was better looking," said Lawson. "Me, by far" ... Let's hear it for former Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick. He finally conceded that stepping on Elvis Dumervil was a mistake and apologized to the Louisville defensive lineman this weekend. "Things happen," said Dumervil. "He just made a mistake. He came up to me and apologized. I respect that" ... Vick was not the fastest quarterback at Sunday's workout. Texas A&M's Reggie McNeal was. He was clocked at 4.35; Vick turned in a 4.42 ... Iowa linebacker Chad Greenway was asked what chores he performs when he returns to his home in South Dakota, where his family farms over 1,200 acres and raises hogs and cattle. He surveyed an audience of reporters, then shrugged. "Probably more things than you've seen or heard, to be brutally honest," he said ... Ohio State had 12 players at this weekend's combine. Good huh? USC had 14.

There won't be many better moments than the one Boston College defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka shared with the media on Saturday. Kiwanuka was in the midst of answering questions about his draft status when someone asked him how important sacks were to him.

A defensive lineman who stood before the media earlier said it was not only important to him; it was the reason he played the game.

"So how important are sacks to you and your game?," Kiwanuka was asked.

The Eagles' senior seemed stunned and hesitated before answering. And when he finally spoke he wasn't all that sure where he was going.

"How important is ...sex ... to me and my game?" he said.

The room erupted in laughter. Kiwanuka was confused. When the question was rephrased he apologized.

"I misunderstood the question," he said.

I would've liked to have heard his response anyway ...

... The Atlanta Falcons are definitely shopping running back T. J. Duckett. Color him gone. Sources close to the club said the club was disappointed with Duckett's performance the second half of the season and determined that it would move on without him. It's unclear what the club would demand in return; what is clear is that Duckett, the team's first-round draft pick in 2002, won't return to the Falcons this season ...

... The Kansas City Chiefs haven't made an announcement regarding the future of running back Priest Holmes, but the feeling continues to be that he'll return to the club next season. The club has acted as if a decision was predicated on Holmes' clearance by physicians after his season-ending neck injury last year, but one source close to the Chiefs said that's not the case.

"It's not a medical question," he said. "It's a financial one. If it works out for Priest he'll be back."

If Holmes returns he would be the backup to Larry Johnson, and those with the club believe he could -- and would -- be effective. After all, they pointed out, Holmes served well as a backup at the University of Texas and, later, with the Baltimore Ravens.

Miami Dolphins' running back Ricky Williams isn't anywhere near this year's NFL combine; in fact, he's not in this hemisphere. Honest. But he's the topic of a lot of conversation -- most of it conducted by reporters.

They asked the questions Friday about Williams' alleged failure of a drug test, with little or no response. No one was willing to talk about Williams' situation because no one is supposed to be talking about drug tests.

Still, agent Leigh Steinberg, made a good point when he insisted that Williams' problems are not with drugs -- even though reports had him failing a test.

"Remember," said Steinberg, "when Ricky Williams IS using drugs he tells the whole world about it. He's without guile." ...

... Ohio State kicker Josh Huston wasn't impressive at Friday's workouts, but it wasn't his performance on the field that had coaches talking; it was his performance in interviews. Huston was -- how should we say this? -- awfully sure about himself.

"Confident," read one assistant's report.

Then he showed me the next item.

"Cocky," it read.

I spoke with several special teams assistants, and all but one mentioned Huston's attitude as a potential problem. Huston is one of only two kickers at this year's combine. Missouri State's Jon Scifres is the other, which tells you something about the quality of this year's draft at the position. ...

... Minnesota coach Brad Childress sure sounded like someone who wants to keep his quarterback. Pressed again and again by reporters on Daunte Culpepper's future Childress insisted he's not trying to get rid of the guy.

"Daunte's a good football player," he said, "and you don't want to lose good football players. He's just got to come back from his injury."

Culpepper missed the last nine games last season with a significant knee injury. Childress said his experience tells him that it will take Culpepper 9-12 months to recover.

One scout I ran into said he believes the Vikings are trying to peddle Culpepper, and Childress at least left the door open when asked if he expected Culpepper and Brad Johnson to be on the roster by the beginning of training camp.

"You don't ever say never," he said. ...

... Let's hear it for Jeremy Bloom.

The former University of Colorado standout just returned from the Olympics this week and now is ready to attack the scouting combine. Yes, I said attack. Though Bloom hasn't trained for football some time -- concentrating instead on the Olympics -- he said he plans to run this weekend.

"Just to see where I am," he said.

That's refreshing. So is the charismatic Bloom, who can't wait to start a career in the NFL and who reminds his listeners whenever he has the chance.

"I'm on top of the world right now," he said. "I never in a million years thought I would be able to compete in the Olympics and be at the NFL combine in the same week," said Bloom. "I'm very humbled."

Bloom checked in at 5-9 and 173 pounds but said he plans to add some muscle -- and weight -- for the coming season. He also plans to start training for a private workout he has scheduled in April.

A wide receiver, Bloom is considered one of the draft's top return specialists. ...

... The damage control has started for Marcus Vick.

The former Virginia Tech quarterback had a large audience of reporters when he walked in the media center at Friday's interview session, and he took advantage of the moment to declare himself reformed and repenitent.

Well, almost.

"I told (NFL persons) what kind of person I am and that I'm not the person I'm made out to be," he said. "I'm not a villain."

Vick was tossed off the Virginia Tech team after several run-ins with the law, including driving with a revoked or suspended license, reckless driving and possession of marijuana. He also was the guy who stepped on Louisville defensive lineman Elvis Dumervil in the Gator Bowl game -- provoking outrage among a national audience of viewers and forcing the school to apologize.

Vick, who at first said the unprovoked incident was accidental when it was clear it was not, conceded he made a mistake -- but only after his mother got a hold of him.

"She said, 'What do you think his mother thinks about her son?' " he said. "She probably thinks, 'I don't like Marcus Vick.' I really didn't think about it that way." ...

... DeAngelo Williams wants it known that he measured 5-9 -- not 5-8.5 -- as if that makes a difference. What counts about the Memphis back is that he's near the top of his class, setting an NCAA record with 34 100-yard games.

Still, critics have started to punch holes in prospects, and look for Williams to be next. Williams does.

"Whatever it takes to pay you less," he said, with a smile, "they'll do it." ...

... USC quarterback Matt Leinart isn't working out for NFL clubs, and he shouldn't be. Steinberg said Leinart has the flu. Leinart is expected to hold a private workout on April 2 where he will go through all the drills.

"I don't feel like throwing (this weekend) is going to demonstrate my talent," he said. " I want to be able to do what I can do."

Leinart took a backhanded shot at archrival UCLA when he said it was "tough" being the center of attention in Los Angeles "being the only team there with success the last few years." Pardon me, but didn't UCLA just finish 10-2?

Yeah, I'd call that successful. ...

... Steinberg sounded a warning for the NFL and NFL Players Association when he predicted that a failure to produce a new collective bargaining agreement will injure both sides -- maybe indefinitely.

"If you pull the genie out of the bottle I don't know that you ever get it back in," he said. "If we go to an uncapped year I don't know that we get (the salary cap) back for 10 years."

Steinberg, who listened to NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw on Friday, conceded that Upshaw "was not optimistic" a settlement could happen.

Former San Francisco 49ers' quarterback Joe Montana was a no-show for Friday's assembly of Super Bowl MVPs, and the scuttlebutt is that he didn't appear because it was a non-paying event. Say it ain't so, Joe.

Former Dallas running back Emmitt Smith parked himself in the lobby of the media hotel when three persons approached him for autographs. Smith obliged, but then lectured one of the hounds -- telling him he was just interested in "having a normal (expletive) day, just like you." He wasn't very happy. You'd think that Smith would know by now that if you're a celebrity and park yourself in the middle of the busiest spot during Super Bowl week that you'll be asked for an autograph. It goes with the territory, Emmitt. You'd also think he'd try to act civil. Believe me, there will come a time when Smith wishes people will remember him as something other than a jerk.

Yes, that was Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes in the auxiliary press box, climbing the stairs to the top of the end zone seats in ... his New York Giants hat. Rooney didn't look too pleased. Was it the climb or the Giants?

Former Detroit coach Steve Mariucci is working for the NFL Network this weekend, which gives you an idea where he will be this fall. Mariucci, fired by the Lions in mid-season, has been under the radar until this week when he resurfaced, first, on a radio interview; then, on the NFL Network. Those who are close to the former head coach said he was "embarrassed" by what happened this year and intentionally stayed out of the public eye.

Winding through the waves of security and bag checks set up outside Ford Field reminded me of an incident two years ago at Super Bowl XXXVIII when a reporter was stopped for carrying M&Ms. The bag was confiscated, with the candy labeled as a potential weapon. So they removed the M&Ms and allowed a streaker on the field. Great. Here's hoping security today exercises some ... how should we say this ... judgment.

It figures that when they announced the Rookie of the Year it would be Tampa Bay's Carnell Williams. After all, we're in Detroit, and he's a Cadillac.

I loved the question Friday that was put to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue -- the one about the San Francisco Bay Area's chances of hosting a Super Bowl given the present conditions of Monster Park (aka Candlestick) and Oakland's McAfee Coliseum. They not only are two of the oldest parks in the league; they're two of the worst. Tagliabue tried not to laugh, saying the league preferred "state-of-the-art stadiums" for its showcase games. That's another way of saying, "Not in your lifetime, pal."

The league brought back its Super Bowl MVPs, then unleashed them for the media to quiz following Tagliabue's midday news conference. There was a large audience for Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr, who recalled the game-winning quarterback sneak in the Ice Bowl against Dallas. Starr said there was no question in his mind that the Packers could score; the question was: Who would carry the ball? Green Bay viewed films of the Cowboys all week and noticed that in short-yardage situations the Cowboys' defensive line submarined its opponents, trying to get under them -- everyone, that is, except Jethro Pugh. "He was so tall he couldn't get down," he said. Starr asked his offensive linemen if they could push off on the frozen field, and they told him they could. He wasn't so sure about his running backs, so when he called that last time out and conferred with coach Vince Lombardi, he asked what he thought if Starr kept the ball and dove forward. "He said, 'Just do it and let's get the hell out of here,'" Starr said. Oh, and for those interested: That photo showing running back Chuck Mercein following Starr into the pile, with his hands raised? It wasn't to signal touchdown; it was to demonstrate that he wasn't holding.

Best line of the week belonged to the guy who stood up at the Rolling Stones news conference to ask Mick Jagger a question. Only it wasn't a question. "I have reason to believe you're my father," he said.

The worst traffic this week hasn't been on the streets of Detroit; it's been around the ESPN enclaves set up in the media hotel ... even when there is no show airing. Hundreds of people jam the walkways around the sites, waiting for a glimpse of someone they know. Which means they often stare at empty pens. "I don't understand," said a singer in one of the hotel's bars. I don't either. But there were so many persons clogging one area that they had to close it off.

When the Stones were questioned about how appropriate it was to feature them when the Super Bowl was in Detroit, home of the Motown Sound, guitarist Keith Richards shot back, "Motown left for Los Angeles." He's right.

Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis is listed as weighing 255 pounds, but there were members of the media guessing how close that was to his actual weight. Answer: Not close. The consensus was that Bettis weighs between 280 and 290. Now you know why no one can tackle the guy.

My favorite quote of the day doesn't come from one of the players in Super Bowl XL; it comes from Detroit City Councilwoman Martha Reeves, and if that name sounds familiar it should.

When asked about having to pay face value for tickets to Sunday's game, Reeves told the Detroit Free Press, "I might not go. I think anything we have to approve we should get for free."

Now that's the spirit. You can't make this stuff up, folks.

So now we have a controversy, right?

Wrong.

Pittsburgh linebacker Joey Porter can't stop attacking Seattle tight end Jerramy Stevens now that Stevens has said ... let's see, what was it? ... oh yeah, that Seattle would win the game.

I know that's not how he put it. He said the Seahawks basically would spoil Jerome Bettis' homecoming. So why is that a big deal? What's the guy supposed to say -- that the Seahawks can't wait to make Bettis a winner? Please.

Porter unloaded because he couldn't resist talking, that's all. And now he's in his element. Even he admitted that coach Bill Cowher didn't reprimand him after Wednesday's comments, and do you think Cowher would sit still if he thought Porter was creating controversy? Me neither. I think he probably feels Porter is more comfortable running his mouth, so let the guy do it.

Besides, he's doing Jerramy Stevens a favor. Few people outside of Seattle had heard about the guy until now, and now he has an audience normally reserved for Shaun Alexander. Why? Because we've manufactured a controversy out of nothing, and that's what Seattle coach Mike Holmgren was saying Thursday when asked what he thought of this. "Not much, really," he said. Me neither.

But that's the beauty of this week. Anything you say can and will be used against you.

More proof of how Terrell Owens destroyed the Eagles: those inane remarks by quarterback Donovan McNabb, who interjected a racial element to their feud.

McNabb did a good job of handling radioactive elements in the past, like the Rush Limbaugh flap, but he blew it here -- further evidence that Owens is able to penetrate what seemed like a thick skin. McNabb talked about "black-on-black crime," and for the life of me I have no idea what he's talking about.

Does he mean it would be OK if Owens suggested he'd like to play for, say, Byron Leftwich rather than Brett Favre? If so, then McNabb doesn't know as much about pro football as he should. First, Favre is a superior quarterback with superior credentials. Second, race shouldn't be an issue -- something I thought McNabb kept reminding people with his conduct and his play.

Third, Owens didn't propose the idea of playing with Favre; a reporter who questioned him did, passing along the suggestion of ESPN analyst Michael Irvin. Owens only responded to a leading question.

I guess I'm missing something here. Would I rather play for McNabb than, say, Joey Harrington? Absolutely. Skin color means nothing here, and McNabb reminded us of that when he fired back at Limbaugh. Now Owens has the guy so rattled, he's talking nonsense. McNabb needs more than another bowl of Chunky's soup from his Mom; he needs a good lecture.