Edwards is carrying on

There is a hint of disappointment in his voice, the result of NFL teams slamming their doors in his face. Then again, that hurt can't compare to what he went through in 1999 when doctors told him they almost had to amputate his leg and that he might never walk again.

The voice on the other end of the line is Robert Edwards, 1998 New England Patriots first-round draft choice and third-year member of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

More than eight years after beating the odds to not only walk again but play football, he's still running.

"I think about it every now and then," the 32-year-old Edwards said in the days before the Alouettes' season opener Friday. "I've pretty much put it behind me, but I don't think the rest of the world has. It gets brought up whenever they say my name."

Patriots fans certainly don't forget. Edwards was coming off a rookie season in which he totaled 1,115 rushing yards, caught 35 passes, and scored 12 touchdowns. Playing in an NFL-sponsored rookie flag football game at the Pro Bowl in February 1999, he was attempting to break up a pass when he landed awkwardly on his left leg, tearing ligaments and experiencing artery damage that cut off blood flow to his lower leg.

More than three years later, Edwards returned to the NFL with the Dolphins, playing in 12 games during the 2002 season. But when he was cut the following season despite feeling he had a solid training camp, he couldn't convince other NFL clubs to bring him aboard.

"New Orleans, Baltimore, Washington, Seattle, Atlanta . . .," he said, rattling off a list of teams for which he worked out but didn't earn a contract. "Everybody said I had good workouts but they never said why they wouldn't sign me or give me an opportunity. I just assumed it was because of the knee injury and the liability behind it. I was upset that teams couldn't see past the knee."

Edwards sat idle for two seasons, wondering if his itch to play would fade. It didn't, so he ratcheted up his work with highly regarded strength and conditioning coach Tom Shaw, figuring he'd take one more crack at carrying the football while his body was still young and could withstand the pounding.

Shaw made calls on his behalf and the Alouettes, sharing some of the same concerns NFL clubs had regarding Edwards's knee, agreed to work him out. Edwards did all the drills except a 40-yard dash, fearing that a slow time from a player once known as a speed back might result in another team turning him away.

The Alouettes protected themselves by signing him to a one-year contract loaded with incentives based on playing time and Edwards had a memorable first season in 2005, rushing for 1,199 yards and playing with his brother, Terrence. Last year, he scored a league-high 17 touchdowns and was third in the league's rushing race (1,155 yards), transforming himself into a between-the-tackles runner.

"I knew absolutely nothing about the CFL until I got here," Edwards said. "All I knew was that I wanted to play the game, and even though I had to travel to Canada, it's still football. Sure, I'd love to be in the States so I could be closer to my family, but this was where my opportunity was, my fresh shot."

One thing Edwards quickly learned was that the salaries are considerably different than in the NFL. If he reaches all his incentives this season, Edwards could earn as much as $100,000. In the NFL, the rookie minimum contract is $285,000.

While the competition is also a cut below the NFL, Edwards said there is a similarity between the leagues in "competitive nature." He believes "a lot of guys over here could play in the NFL if given the opportunity."

After tweaking his hamstring on the second day of training camp and missing 20 days of workouts, there is some question as to what type of opportunity Edwards will have in the early part of the Alouettes' season. There are also no guarantees he'll have a roster spot throughout the season, with coach Jim Popp noting that Edwards "faces stiff competition."

Facing longer odds has seldom fazed Edwards. If his football journey ends, so be it, and he'll return to his Atlanta home with his wife, Tracy, and their two daughters. He said he's spoken with former Patriots teammates Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk, Ty Law, Willie McGinest, Lawyer Milloy, Patrick Pass, and J.R. Redmond in recent years, and that there is appreciation for every day he straps on his pads, tucks a football close to his chest, and rumbles up the middle.

"A lot of people would have quit," he said. "I feel like I'm living a miracle, still playing this game."

Solomon imparts wisdom

How would you rank the eight NFL divisions?

Former Bengals/Vikings/Steelers defensive back Solomon Wilcots, now working as a host for Sirius NFL Radio and the NFL Network, has the AFC North atop his rankings.

"I look at Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Baltimore, and each has won a division title over the last three years, and I also look at the quarterback play and how far each quarterback can take them," he said. "[Pittsburgh's] Ben Roethlisberger has already won a Super Bowl. [Cincinnati's] Carson Palmer is already a Pro Bowler. [Baltimore's] Steve McNair was a league MVP. Those three are very special and can take their teams far. I always look at that quarterback position to tell me which teams I think can win in December. Then you want players around those quarterbacks and those three teams have it."

The rest of Wilcots's rankings:

AFC West: "I don't think Oakland is going to be a pushover, San Diego is a juggernaut, and I love the firepower that Denver added. Kansas City might take a step back, but they were a playoff team last year. Top to bottom strong."

AFC East: "The Patriots are among the elite teams in the league and you have to like the Jets after winning 10 games a year ago. I think Buffalo's offensive line will shock some people, but their defense is lacking. I think Patriots fans know how good Miami's defense can be, so it's up to the offense to come alive."

NFC West: "Arizona and San Francisco will be much better, St. Louis puts a lot of firepower on the field, and I think Seattle can go to another Super Bowl. I see a lot of stable situations at quarterback."

Wilcots believes the AFC's dominance over the NFC is reflected in the top part of his rankings.

"Look at interconference play the last three years, and you see the reason why the AFC is so heavily weighted," he said, rounding out his list with the NFC East, AFC South, NFC South, and NFC North.

We'd put the AFC West atop the charts, followed by the AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, NFC South, NFC East, NFC West, and NFC North.

What will this coach whip up next?

When Bill Cowher resigned as Steelers coach following the 2006 season, it essentially made former Brown and University of Massachusetts coach Mark Whipple a free agent.

Whipple, who spent the last three seasons as the Steelers' quarterbacks coach and played an integral role in the development of Ben Roethlisberger, now has his sights set on a major Division 1-A college head coaching job or an NFL coordinator position. He had some feelers for NFL quarterbacks coaching jobs this year, but with one year remaining on his Steelers contract and his football-playing son set to enroll at the University of Pittsburgh, Whipple decided against moving his family.

Another factor in Whipple's decision was his experience in interviewing for Boston College's head coaching position last December.

At that point, the Steelers were attempting to make a late playoff push. While Whipple was pleased with his interview, he also knew he couldn't fully devote himself to the BC opening because of the job he had.

"Here we are, the defending Super Bowl champions, trying to get ready for the Panthers and the Ravens," Whipple recalled. "Your mind needs to be in a different place. To be successful, I've always put everything into it, and this allows me the chance to look at a few more things."

Whipple has visited a handful of colleges during their spring workouts, serving as a consultant of sorts. He has continued to watch NFL tape, attended UMass's football outing and former Steeler Sean Morey's Hall of Fame induction at Brown, and has reconnected with old friends.

"It's been positive. I'm busier than I thought, but it's also given me a lot of time to reflect," Whipple said.

Etc.

Four nuggets not to forget from last week: 1. The NFL's disability and pension plans came under scrutiny during a congressional hearing Tuesday. Hall of Famers Mike Ditka and Harry Carson were among those testifying, as both have been critical of the league's handling of the issue; 2. The Bears released defensive lineman Tank Johnson after he ran into more off-field trouble, then signed cornerback Nathan Vasher, who was scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency after the 2007 season, to a five-year extension; 3. The NFL held its annual rookie symposium in West Palm Beach, Fla., with commissioner Roger Goodell addressing the crop of new players. Attendance was mandatory for draft choices, and all 255 were present; 4. The Dolphins signed general manager Randy Mueller to a two-year contract extension. Mueller's deal was set to expire in June 2008.

At one time, David Boston appeared to be on track to become one of the NFL's most dominant receivers. A first-round draft choice of the Cardinals in 1999, he totaled 71 catches in his second season and a whopping 98 the next season, then landed with the Chargers in his fifth season and caught 70 passes. At 6 feet 2 inches and 225 pounds, the former Ohio State pass-catcher was a rare physical package. Yet in a reminder of how fast things can change in the NFL, Boston essentially dropped off the map after his 2003 campaign in San Diego, with injuries playing a key factor. Boston played in just five games with the Dolphins (2004-05), catching four passes, and was out of the league in 2006 after getting cut following Buccaneers training camp. He's attempting to make the Tampa Bay roster again, having signed a one-year, veteran-minimum deal in May. "He was one of the elite receivers in all of football a few years ago. I don't even think anybody knows he's around," Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden said. "That's what I tell Dave every day, 'People have forgotten about you.' He's been out here every day, and he's got a chance to really explode back onto the scene, provided he stays healthy and does what he's doing right now."

Teaming with cornerback Nate Clements, former Patriots outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain has added some verbal spice to the 49ers' practices. The two turned up the volume with trash talking during organized team activities in June. "The guys that we've added, a couple of them like to talk a little bit, which is all in good spirit," 49ers coach Mike Nolan told Bay Area reporters. "The offensive guys haven't been getting much of that the last two years, so they're kind of looking like, 'Wait a minute.' It will be interesting to put the pads on [come training camp]."

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper has a grievance hearing July 18 against the Dolphins, whom he believes should release him so he can pursue other opportunities. Culpepper has been held out of team drills as he recovers from a knee injury, and his feeling is that if the Dolphins are limiting his practice schedule to avoid responsibility for his contract if he's injured, they should simply set him free. The Dolphins have remained tight-lipped on the matter.

As reported in this space two weeks ago, the future of NFL Europa was expected to come into focus following the league's championship game last weekend. It didn't take long for NFL owners to determine its fate, as they've decided to shut down the league after 15 seasons because of financial considerations. Punter Danny Baugher, who was allocated to the league this year by the Patriots, believes his experience in NFL Europa was beneficial. "As a player, I would like to see it continue," he wrote in an e-mail. "It allows players a chance to get some professional experience and for some guys it gives them a chance they never would have had. With punting there is always something to continually get better at and I was able to work on different aspects of my game and see a part of the world I may never have if it wasn't for NFL Europa." Baugher hopes to parlay his strong campaign in NFL Europa into a job with the Patriots, as his competition with Josh Miller figures to be one of the more spirited battles of camp.

Including the $7.79 million franchise tag figure for cornerback Asante Samuel and the money to sign their nine draft picks, the Patriots have approximately $7.1 million in salary cap space . . . Safety Donovin Darius, who was a surprise cut by the Jaguars, followed up his initial free agent visit to the Raiders by meeting with Bills officials Tuesday . . . Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson is visiting China as part of a joint tour between the NFL, the Patriots, and Reebok aimed at promoting football and the league . . . Former University of Maine receiver Kevin McMahan, who was selected by the Raiders with the last pick in the 2006 draft but didn't make the team, hoped to stick with the Colts this season but was waived last week. . . . Another local product, former UMass guard David Thompson, has been waived by the Rams . . . The Steelers, under first-year coach Mike Tomlin, are scheduled to open their training camp July 23, the earliest of any of the league's other 31 clubs, according to dates released by the NFL.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com; material from personal interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.