The Honeymooners

It's amazing how owners who oppose instant replay find reasons to become pro-replay five minutes before voting on whether to continue the system. Last year—in spite of growing sentiment against it—instant replay was approved for a fourth year, mainly as a tribute to one of its more vocal advocates, Pete Rozelle , who had just announced his plans to retire as commissioner. Tagliabue pushed instant replay through again, in Orlando , even though the competition committee opposed it.

The night before the meetings began, Tagliabue watched a tape of all of last season's 65 reversed decisions. Then he told the owners that without instant replay coaches would resume their griping to the NFL office about controversial calls and the league would take its licks ad nauseam from TV highlights. The replay measure needed 21 votes to pass, and with the tally at 20-7 in favor, the floor was handed to Eagle owner Norman Braman , who said he opposed instant replay in theory and in practice. Then he voted for it, out of respect for Tagliabue, he said.

NOT-SO-FREE AGENTS

The Buccaneers pondered making Bears running back Neal Anderson an offer but decided otherwise. At 25, Anderson , who rushed for 1,275 yards last season, second-most in the NFC, certainly seems worth the required two No. 1 draft choices and his asking price of $1.75 million a year. What's more, Chicago would probably not match that amount. Another prime free agent, Bengal safety David Fulcher, is also still available. Fulcher, 25, could anchor anyone's secondary for several years.

So why are there no takers for either player? Well, consider—as most teams apparently have—the lesson provided by the Broncos . Last year Denver made Bruce Smith , the Bills' All-Pro defensive end, an offer, but Buffalo matched it and Smith stayed put. Had the Bills allowed Smith to leave, Denver would not have been able to draft safety Steve Atwater or running back Bobby Humphrey . And without those two key players, the Broncos would not have made it to the Super Bowl.

Quarterback Don Majkowski, who transformed the Green Bay Packers into contenders last season, hasn't generated any interest either. The publicly owned Packers have more than $30 million in the bank and would most likely match any offer for Majkowski. "And the people in Wisconsin would burn Lambeau Field to the ground if they lost him," said one coach.

DISPATCHES

The market for Colt running back Eric Dickerson , who would like to be traded to a contender, is bearish. He'll be 30 when the season starts and has already carried the ball 173 more times than Jim Brown did in his career. Dickerson makes $1.45 million a year, and he wants $2 million. "There's a one-in-a-thousand chance he'll be traded," says Indianapolis coach Ron Meyer. The Colts have given Dickerson permission to talk to the Giants , the Raiders , the Redskins and the Oilers, but right now Indy could not get two first-round picks for Dickerson , and it wants three....

Even if quarterback Dan Marino , who wants out of Miami , holds out well into camp, the Dolphins won't deal him....

Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor , due to make $1.21 million this year, is certain to hold out. Taylor , 31, the game's highest-paid defensive player for four of the last six seasons, wants one more contract, at $2 million a year, before calling it quits....