Graham may be on move

INDIANAPOLIS -- Barring an unexpected change, tight end Daniel Graham appears headed for free agency. There was no advancement in contract talks between Graham's representatives and the Patriots here at the NFL Combine.

The Patriots have 12 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents Friday, and Graham tops the list.

A first-round draft choice (21st overall) in 2002, Graham should generate interest in a generally weak tight end market. At 6 feet 3 inches, 257 pounds, he may be the most complete tight end available, and he is considered a solid presence in the locker room. The Patriots named him a captain during the 2006 season.

Linebacker is one of the Patriots' top needs, and the team will take a closer look at one possible addition today. The University of Miami's Jon Beason (6-0, 237 pounds) said he will sit down with Patriots officials as one of his 27 scheduled interviews.

Beason is entering the NFL draft after his junior season and is considered an early-round selection. He played outside linebacker in college but is projected as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Beason said he would relish the chance to play in New England -- "you can't go wrong, because you're going to be a contender every year" -- and believes he responds well to tough, detailed coaching.

"I like the technician, the guy who knows it and is good at getting it across to his players," he said.

California linebacker Desmond Bishop (6-1, 239 ) also said he's had discussions with the Patriots, tracing back to the East/West Shrine game. Bishop is projected as a mid- to late-round pick, and would play inside in the 3-4.

"One of the reasons I think I'd fit with the Patriots is their style of play, the discipline, the togetherness as a team," he said.

Broncos running back Damien Nash collapsed and died after a charity basketball game in suburban St. Louis, less than two months after the slaying of teammate Darrent Williams. Nash collapsed shortly after participating in the game benefiting a foundation named for his older brother, Darris. The foundation raises money for heart transplant research. It was established last month, after Darris, 25, received a heart transplant. "We have been informed of the passing of Damien Nash," team spokesman Jim Saccomano said. "We are attempting to get more details." Broncos coach Mike Shanahan and general manager Ted Sundquist were at the NFL's scouting combine in Indianapolis. Nash, 24, was a fifth-round draft choice by Tennessee in 2005. The Broncos signed him as a free agent last season and he played in three games, rushing for 98 yards on 24 carries . . . Terrell Owens needs more surgery on his injured right ring finger and might not be 100 percent until training camp. Cowboys coach Wade Phillips confirmed the receiver needs a second procedure on the finger that required surgery last month. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported the surgery will be Thursday . . . Falcons defensive end Patrick Kerney voided his contract to explore free agency, and potentially lucrative free agent options could make it difficult for the team to re-sign its top pass rusher. Kerney, 30, ranks third on the Falcons' career list with 58 sacks . . . Brown University linebacker Zak DeOssie was a big hit with the media at the combine, reflecting on his days as a ball boy for the Patriots and recalling when coach Bill Belichick worked with him one-on-one on quarterback drills. "He had the session videotaped, I threw 40 passes, then we went over the film," DeOssie said. "He was the reigning Super Bowl coach, I was astonished." DeOssie added that he's best friends with Belichick's daughter, Amanda, but that he keeps the friendship and football separate with the Belichicks . . . Belichick, meanwhile, has not been spotted at the combine . . . Boston College offensive lineman James Marten tied for the seventh-fastest time in the 40-yard dash among his peers (5.08 seconds). There are 51 linemen at the combine . . . Notre Dame defensive end Victor Abiamiri said he's spoken with the Patriots about making the transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4 . . . Center/guard Brian Barthelmes (Amsterdam) was one of the Patriots' allocations, and punters Danny Baugher and Tom Malone are also scheduled to play in the league, according to their agents.

Material from the Associated Press was used; Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.