"Like the other 2,000 or so NFL players hoping and praying that the recent swell of optimism in the labor talks is accurate, Jaguars TE Marcedes Lewis hopes the good times can roll again soon.

The difference that is that he's just not lapping up the recent chatter and taking it as gospel.

"Lies are truth, and truth are lies," Lewis said by telephone this week from his offseason home outside Los Angeles. "Anyone who says more than 'I don't know' doesn't know (what's going on in the labor talks)."

Short of invoking Macbeth's witches, all Lewis will say is that he'll believe it when he sees it. Lewis is a man of actions, not words, and as he waits for something final in the CBA talks he also waits to find out his own future.

The Jaguars placed the franchise tag on him right before the NFL shut its doors for business and following Lewis' finest season in his five-year career. He set career highs in receptions (58) and yards (700) and had more touchdowns (10) than he had in his previous four seasons combined (seven). Throw in the blocking of the 6-6, 275-pound Lewis, who is only a few bagels short of being a right tackle, and you have a fairly complete player. Lewis understands why the Jaguars franchised him. It doesn't mean he has to be tickled about the idea.

"It's a catch-22, man," he said. "I want a long-term contract, and I know Jacksonville wants me there. I love playing in Jacksonville and who I work with there. But at the same time, who wants to play under a one-year contract? That's not cool.

"Especially when you have played five years and given your sweat, blood and tears to the team and laid it out there every Sunday, putting your body on the line. Obviously, it is what it is. I am just sitting here, being patient and trusting that we are going to get it done.""