FANTASY FOOTBALL TODAY

NFL NEWS & NOTES  MARCH 2000

Updated March 30, 2000 @ 5:30AM CDT

Broncos say bye-bye Bubby

DENVER - Bubby Brister, the former heir-apparent to John Elway, was released Wednesday after he asked the team to let him go. Brister, who led the Broncos to a 4-0 record as a replacement for Elway during the 1998 Super Bowl-winning season, was benched last season in favor of second-year quarterback Brian Griese. Brister fell farther down the quarterback roster as the Broncos, rumored to be interested in San Francisco 49er quarterback Steve Young, recently signed former-Detroit Lion Gus Frerotte. The 37-year-old Brister has played with Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York and Denver during his 13 seasons. He completed 96 of 160 passes for 1,121 yards, 10 touchdowns and six interceptions as a Bronco.

Agent: Sanders repays share of bonus

DETROIT - Barry Sanders has repaid the Detroit Lions $83,333, the balance of his prorated 1999 signing bonus, his agent said Wednesday. Sanders received an $11 million signing bonus when he signed a six-year contract in 1997. He played two years before startling the NFL by leaving football on the eve of last summer's training camp, just 1,458 yards shy of breaking Walter Payton's NFL career record of 16,726. Arbitrator Sam Kagel ruled Feb. 15 that Sanders must repay one-sixth of the bonus for each year he fails to play under terms of the 1997 contract, or $1.833 million per year.

Moss gets fine reduced

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - A $40,000 fine issued to Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss for squirting a water bottle at an official has been reduced to $25,000. However, the NFL added a stipulation that another encounter with an official would cost $15,000 in addition to any future fine. Moss was fined in January for his conduct during an NFC divisional playoff game against St. Louis. Standing near the bench in the fourth quarter, Moss squirted liquid from the bottle at field judge Jim Saracino following an incomplete pass intended for him. The fine was so high because it was Moss' second violation in a season for abuse of game officials. In November, the league fined Moss $10,000 for excessive verbal abuse of an official. Moss' agent, Dante DiTrapano, said he had sought to have the $40,000 fine cut in half.

Chiefs sign Sauerbrun

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Chiefs Monday agreed to terms on a two-year contract with free agent punter Todd Sauerbrun, who spent the first five years of his career with the Chicago Bears. Financial terms were not disclosed. Sauerbrun recovered from a torn ACL suffered in 1998 and averaged 40.9 yards on punts and dropped 20 inside the 20-yard line last season. In Kansas City, Sauerbrun will compete with Daniel Pope for the punting job.

Updated March 23, 2000 @ 12:15PM CDT

Replay clears first hurdle

The NFL's Competition Committee voted 6-1 to retain instant replay, but its return for a second season won't be determined until league meetings next week in Palm Beach, Fla. Approval is needed by 24 of 31 owners. The dissenting vote came from Cincinnati Bengals President Mike Brown. League spokesman Joe Browne said the fate of replay "is always a close call."

Favre's thumb still broken

GREEN BAY, Wis. - The injured right thumb that bothered Brett Favre all last season is still swollen, but the Packers quarterback says he's throwing the football more accurately and not experiencing as much pain. ''I don't know if it's ever going to be 100%,'' Favre said Wednesday at Green Bay's first minicamp under new coach Mike Sherman. Favre was hurt when he struck an opponent's helmet in a exhibition game last year. One problem, he said, was that the thumb was hit repeatedly during the season. ''It wasn't that it was hit one time. It was hit eight to 10 times,'' Favre said. ''When a part of the body suffers trauma like that, you can't expect three months to heal it.'' Favre, a three-time NFL MVP, threw 23 interceptions, one off the NFL lead, as Green Bay finished 8-8.

Redskins sign Murrell

ASHBURN, Va. - The Washington Redskins signed free agent running back Adrian Murrell to a one-year contract Wednesday. Murrell rushed for 553 yards on 193 carries last season with the Arizona Cardinals. He joins a crowded competition for playing time in a Redskins backfield that already includes Stephen Davis, Skip Hicks and Larry Centers. ''You've got a guy that's been very productive in this league, and he adds quality insurance for us,'' director of player personnel Vinny Cerrato said. Murrell signed for the veteran minimum wage, but could make more through incentives.

Jets keeping Keyshawn

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Keyshawn Johnson no longer is on the trading block, New York Jets coach Al Groh said Tuesday. Johnson, through agent Jerome Stanley, has expressed his dissatisfaction with his contract, which has two years to run at less than $2 million per season. The two-time Pro Bowl receiver believes that is far under market value - Stanley has cited the seven-year, $42 million deal Joey Galloway signed with Dallas. Galloway and Johnson have similar career statistics. Groh reiterated that the team isn't prepared to renegotiate Johnson's contract - right now. ''After due consideration and in light of the fact that Keyshawn has two years remaining on his contract, our organization remains unable to address the contract of Keyshawn in the near or foreseeable short term future,'' Groh said.

Updated March 20, 2000 @ 7:30AM CDT

Agent: Vikes want George to start

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Jeff George's agent says coach Dennis Green is finally pursuing the free-agent quarterback who guided the Vikings to the playoffs last year. After Dan Marino spurned the Vikings' offer to be their starting quarterback this season, Green offered the job to George, agent Leigh Steinberg said. He said Green and George spoke for half an hour last Sunday. ''Denny called Jeff and said that he wants him to be the starting quarterback next season,'' Steinberg said, ''and so we've now started the negotiation process. It's in the early stages. This is the first time there has been an interest in negotiating.'' Steinberg said he has not ''conclusively put together a proposal yet." If George is to return to the Vikings, Green has said he must agree to a one-year deal because he expects Daunte Culpepper to start this fall or in 2001.

Cowboys sign TE Harris

IRVING, Texas - The Dallas Cowboys signed veteran tight end Jackie Harris on Friday to fill the void created when Eric Bjornson left for the New England Patriots. Harris, who spent the last two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, signed a four-year deal worth more than $5.1 million, including a $1.1 million signing bonus. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that third-year player David LaFleur will be the starting tight end, but ''Jackie's coming in to complement what we're doing with David LaFleur. ''We expect David to be more of a receiving factor than he has been the last two years.'' Last season, Harris had 26 catches for 297 yards, and caught seven passes for 64 yard in the Titans' Super Bowl loss to the St. Louis Rams.

Updated March 17, 2000 @ 9:00AM CDT

Marino considering TV career

MIAMI - Dan Marino, after retiring earlier this week, might already be planning his second career. According to a report Friday in The Palm Beach Post, the former Miami Dolphins quarterback, who owns most NFL passing records, could wind up on Fox as a game analyst, or on ABC opposite his old coach, Jimmy Johnson. A source at Fox told the newspaper that the network has been contacted by Marino's representatives, and more discussions are planned. The network is talking about Marino being a color analyst. ABC has at least one opening on Monday Night Football after firing former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason last week. If ABC decides to go back to having three announcers, there could be room for Marino and Johnson, the former Dolphins coach. Johnson is in the running, and Marino won't be automatically ruled out, an ABC insider told the newspaper.

Lions, Sanders battle over bonus

DETROIT - The Detroit Lions are pressuring Barry Sanders to immediately repay a prorated share of his 1997 signing bonus, widening the gap between the retired running back and his old team. Sanders' agent, David Ware. and the Lions are asking arbitrator Sam Kagel to clarify when Sanders must repay one-sixth of his $11 million signing bonus for each year he fails to play under terms of his six-year contract. The Lions say the wording of Kagel's February ruling gives them the right to collect the money 10 days after the club announced the starting date of training camp. But Ware counters that Kagel ''never intended that result'' for Sanders, who the agent said should not have to repay the prorated share of the signing bonus unless he fails to report for training camp.

Eagles acquire Thomason

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers exchanged backup tight ends Thursday, the Eagles getting Jeff Thomason in exchange for tight end Kaseem Sinceno. Thomason, 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, rejoins Eagles coach Andy Reid, who was with the Packers in 1995-96. In five seasons with the Packers, Thomason served primarily as No. 3 tight end. Sinceno, who signed a one-year contract with the Eagles on Wednesday, spent the entire 1999 season on the Eagles' injured reserve list after suffering a season-ending foot injury early in training camp. He signed as a rookie free agent with Philadelphia in 1998 and caught three passes for 42 yards and one TD his first year.

Browns sign KR/WR David Patten

BEREA, Ohio - Kick returner and wide receiver David Patten agreed to a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns Thursday. Patten, an unrestricted free agent who had played for the New York Giants since joining the NFL in 1997, appeared in all 16 games last season for the Giants. He averaged 20.4 yards per kick return. He also caught nine passes for 115 yards.

Hasselbeck staying in Green Bay

GREEN BAY, Wis. - Backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck reached agreement Wednesday with the Green Bay Packers on a new multiyear contract. The Packers did not release details of the pact. Hasselbeck, a 1998 sixth-round draft choice from Boston College, completed 3 of 10 passes for 41 yards and a touchdown last year in relief of Brett Favre. He also served as the holder on field goal and extra point attempts.

Updated March 15, 2000 @ 11:00PM CDT

Longtime 49ers coach McKittrick dies

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The San Francisco 49ers lost one of the cornerstones of their coaching staff Wednesday. Bobb McKittrick, the 49ers' offensive line coach for the past 21 seasons, lost a long battle with cancer. He was 64. McKittrick had undergone several surgical procedures and chemotherapy treatments since being diagnosed with the disease in January 1999. He joined the San Francisco staff in 1979 and is one of only two coaches who were members of all five of the Niners' Super Bowl championship teams. He spent 28 years as an NFL assistant, including stints with the Los Angeles Rams (1971-72) and San Diego Chargers (1974-78) before helping build the line that protected Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana and two-time Most Valuable Player Steve Young. McKittrick developed the likes of perennial Pro Bowlers Jesse Sapolu, Harris Barton, Guy McIntyre and Randy Cross.

Seattle QB Kitna inks tender offer

KIRKLAND, Wash. - Quarterback Jon Kitna gave up a chance of testing the free agent market Wednesday, signing a tender offer from the Seattle Seahawks. Kitna, 27, was an exclusive rights free agent who could have negotiated with any other NFL team. Seattle would have had to match an offer by another club or lose him and receive first- and third-round picks as compensation. Kitna's tender offer is an undisclosed amount based on salaries of other NFL quarterbacks. The Seahawks made the former World League quarterback their leader last season, and he responded, passing for 3,346 yards with 23 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Seattle went 9-7 under Kitna, reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1988 before losing in the first round to the Miami Dolphins, 20-17.

Dolphins add Smith to backfield

DAVIE, Fla. - Veteran running back Lamar Smith agreed to terms on a two-year, $1.75 million contract with the Miami Dolphins. The deal includes a $500,000 signing bonus. Smith, 29, is expected to back up J.J. Johnson, the Dolphins' starter at the end of last season. Miami also signed former Buffalo Bills star Thurman Thomas last week. The additions give the Dolphins the depth new coach Dave Wannstedt sought at running back going into the offseason. Smith started for the New Orleans Saints in 1998, rushing for 457 yards in 138 carries with one touchdown. He lost his starting job last year to rookie Ricky Williams and gained 206 yards in 53 attempts. Smith's best season was in 1996, when he gained 680 yards in 153 carries with eight touchdowns for the Seattle Seahawks.

Cardinals' Bates pleads not guilty

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Arizona Cardinals running back Mario Bates pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of assault and disorderly conduct after his girlfriend charged that he slapped her. Bates was arraigned in Scottsdale City Court on charges of assault and disorderly conduct and was released on his own recognizance after being arrested Tuesday. The 29-year-old woman, whose name wasn't released, told authorities she tried to call for help after but that Bates yanked out the telephone connections, said Sgt. Doug Dirren, a police spokesman. The couple have a 9-month-old daughter. Police said the infant was present during the quarrel. The Cardinals signed Bates as a free agent in March 1998, and he scored six touchdowns during that season and three in the playoffs.

Updated March 15, 2000 @ 8:00AM CDT

NFL hands down punishment

NEW YORK - The NFL disciplined four players Tuesday under its new anti-crime policy, three of them offensive linemen who were involved in a fight outside a bar last summer. Matt O'Dwyer, now of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Jumbo Elliott of the New York Jets were each suspended for two games. Jason Fabini of the Jets was fined $14,000 for his involvement in the bar fight. In addition, Denard Walker, a starting cornerback for the AFC champion Tennessee Titans, was suspended for two games after pleading guilty to assault on the mother of his son. The suspensions come after a season in which the NFL has come under fire for off-field violence involving players.

Williams unhappy in New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Ricky Williams portrays himself as an outcast among fellow Saints and New Orleanians alike, and recommends moving the team to San Antonio in an interview hitting newsstands Wednesday.

''I'd live in Austin,'' Williams says in the March 20 issue of Sports Illustrated. ''New Orleans is a great place to hang out, but not a great place to live and work.''

Williams also complains about his incentive-based contract, a head coach who hasn't coached him yet and Saints teammates who he says delighted in humiliating him and who didn't apologize when he was hit in the backfield.

At Texas, where Williams set a short-lived major-college career rushing record, ''There was a deep sense of pride,'' Williams says.

''Like my linemen - they were so proud. When they missed a block and I got hit in the backfield, they would be right there and say, 'I'm sorry, Ricky.' You could see in their eyes that it really hurt them,'' Williams says.

''In New Orleans ... they'd pick me up but I never once heard anyone say, 'I'll get 'em next time,''' Williams says. ''I don't know what the problem was. I think they were just too worried about themselves.''

Williams recalled a film session in which a teammate seemed to gleefully point out that Williams ''got drilled.'' On another occasion, another teammate, returning from a speaking engagement, told him that someone had referred to the running back as a crybaby.

New Saints coach Jim Haslett caught Williams' disapproval for how he handled his first meeting with Williams this winter.

''He doesn't say, 'How's your elbow,''' Williams says. ''He says 'Have you been working out?' His questions bothered me, and the way if you ever meet a football coach, they always look you up and down before they say anything to you. It's their job, I guess, but it didn't make me feel like a person.''

The magazine reports that Williams hasn't been working out.

Williams' incentive-based contract - not counting an $8.84 million signing bonus - paid him a relatively low $225,000 for his injury-plagued 1999 season. The running back says he would be happier playing for the Saints if they renegotiated his contract.

He also cites what he perceives as a lack of support from a city where ''losing engulfs you.''

''Has there ever been a star player in New Orleans?'' Williams asks rhetorically. ''No, there hasn't been. So they don't know how to treat you - not that I expect special treatment. But there are certain things I've become accustomed to, like support, a little bit of support.''

Updated March 14, 2000 @ 6:00AM CDT

Marino calls it a career

DAVIE, Fla. - Dan Marino, the most prolific passer in NFL history announced his retirement Monday, ending a 17-year career with the Miami Dolphins. Marino, 38, wanted to go out like John Elway and retire as a Super Bowl champion. But after parting ways with the Dolphins, Marino reluctantly rejected an offer to play this year for the Minnesota Vikings. Marino's records could last for decades. He holds NFL career marks for touchdowns (420), yardage (61,361) and completions (4,967).

Cowboys re-sign Teague

IRVING, Texas - The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms on a four-year contract with free agent free safety George Teague. The team, which made the announcement via it's Web site Monday, refused to release the financial terms of the deal. Unnamed sources, however, told The Dallas Morning News that Teague was expected to count about $800,000 against the club's 2000 salary cap. The eight-year veteran has played seven years in the NFL, including three with Dallas. He's had a season career-high 102 tackles, including 44 solos.

Updated March 11, 2000 @ 8:00AM CDT

Marino to call it a career

MIAMI - Dan Marino, the most prolific passer in NFL history, will announce his retirement Monday after 17 seasons with the Dolphins, a source close to the quarterback said Friday. The team confirmed a news conference for Marino is planned Monday. The future Hall of Famer rejected an offer to play this year for the Vikings. Health was a factor as Marino weighed retirement. He was plagued by knee trouble for much of his career and missed five games last season because of a neck injury. Marino holds NFL career records with 4,967 completions for 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns.

Lewis pleads not guilty

ATLANTA - Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis pleaded innocent to murder and assault charges Friday and a judge set jury selection in the case for May 15. Lewis and two co-defendants are charged in connection with a Jan. 31 fight that broke out outside an Atlanta nightclub after a Super Bowl party. Jacinth Baker, 21, and Richard Lollar, 24, both of Decatur, died of stab wounds suffered in the fight. Co-defendants Joseph Sweeting and Reginald Oakley waived their arraignments. Friday's arraignment took about five minutes and Lewis, who is free on bail, did not speak to reporters as he left the court. His attorney, Ed Garland, said he expected the trial to last about a week. Garland has said that Lewis was not involved in the fight. Investigators are expected to test Lewis' clothing for evidence of blood, which could indicate whether he came into contact with either victim.

Report: Rice close to signing with 49ers

CBS SportsLine reported on Friday that veteran San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice was close to re-signing a deal with the team. An announcement could be made within the next few days. Rice, 37, was scheduled to arrive in San Francisco Friday to review the contract. In 15 NFL seasons, Rice has 1,206 receptions for 18,442 yards and 169 touchdowns.

Eagles ink fullback Pritchett

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles upgraded their backfield on Thursday, signing unrestricted free agent fullback Stanley Pritchett to a four-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Pritchett spent the first four years of his career with the Miami Dolphins. Last season, Pritchett played 14 games, including seven starts with five at fullback and two at halfback. He posted career highs in receptions (43), rushing yards (158) and touchdowns with five. A fourth-round pick of the Dolphins in 1996, the 26-year-old Pritchett has 98 career receptions for 798 yards and six touchdowns. He has also rushed 63 times for 211 yards and one touchdown in 52 career games.

Punter Turk traded to Dolphins

WASHINGTON - Former Pro Bowl punter Matt Turk was traded by the Washington Redskins to the Miami Dolphins for a seventh-round draft pick in 2001. Turk, who was traded Wednesday, asked to be released by the Redskins after a series of disagreements with team management last season. Turk made the Pro Bowl three times as a punter during five seasons with the Redskins, but struggled last season, averaging 41.4 yards per punt. That ranked him 18th in the league.

Mitchell to Bengals

CINCINNATI - Quarterback Scott Mitchell, an unrestricted free agent from the Baltimore Ravens, was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday as a backup to Akili Smith. Mitchell, 32, signed a one-year contract for $800,000. He decided on the Bengals after talking this week with the Dallas Cowboys, where Mitchell's college quarterbacks coach, Jack Reilly, is the new offensive coordinator. Mitchell realized he was more likely to get playing time behind Smith, a second-year player, than if he backed up Cowboys veteran Troy Aikman, said Mitchell's agent, Tony Agnone. Mitchell, 6-6 and 245 pounds, is entering his 11th NFL season. He helped lead the Detroit Lions to playoff appearances in 1994, 1995 and 1997.

Young to make decision in April

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young will decide whether to return to the National Football League after his wedding next week and honeymoon, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday. Young, 38, suffered his fourth concussion in the past three years Sept. 27 against the Arizona Cardinals and had to sit out the rest of the season. Now Young probably will make a decision by the first week of April, said Lee Steinberg, his agent. ''This is a very special time in Steve's life, and he's deferring any discussion about his future plans until the beginning of the month,'' Steinberg said. Young is marrying Phoenix model Barbara Graham, 30. Neither Steinberg nor Young's publicist would comment on the date or location of the nuptials. Steinberg said that Young is leaning toward playing again if the risks of long-term injury aren't too great.

Ravens agree with Dilfer

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Baltimore Ravens announced on Wednesday that they have signed former Tampa Bay quarterback Trent Dilfer to a one-year, $1 million contract that includes a $550,000 signing bonus. Dilfer, 27, broke his right collarbone in November and was replaced by rookie Shaun King, who led the Buccaneers to the NFC championship game. When the season ended, the Bucs declined to exercise a two-year, $4.6 million option on Dilfer's contract, making him a free agent. Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens' vice president of player personnel, said Dilfer will enter camp as the No. 2 quarterback behind Tony Banks, who Feb. 17 signed a four-year $18.6 million contract. Before the injury, Dilfer completed 146 of 244 passes for 1,619 yards, 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Esiason dropped from MNF

NEW YORK - Ex-NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason is now an ex-NFL broadcaster. ABC television announced Wednesday that Esiason, who has spent two years on the Monday Night Football broadcast team, will not be returning to the booth. No replacement has been named. Also released by ABC were longtime producer Ken Wolfe and director Craig Janoff after the show's ratings plummeted. Don Ohlmeyer, who produced the broadcasts in the 1970s when Frank Gifford, Don Meredith and Howard Cosell made Monday nights a TV event, was rehired as producer.

Newton retires, plans to join ESPN Radio

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Nate Newton is retiring after 14 seasons and three Super Bowl titles, and will go to work for ESPN Radio as a Sunday NFL analyst, his agent says. Jim Neader said Tuesday the 38-year-old offensive lineman will not return to the Carolina Panthers, where he played last season after 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. ''It's been a great run, and Nate certainly has had a wonderful career and he enjoyed his stay in Carolina,'' Neader said. ''But Nate has come to the conclusion that it's time to move on and do something else.'' Newton, who played in six Pro Bowls, was bothered by a triceps injury last year and appeared in just seven games, but his presence in the locker room was regarded as a positive influence on the Panthers' younger players.

Updated March 7, 2000 @ 8:00AM CDT

Jets may deal Johnson

NEW YORK - The New York Jets are considering trading Pro Bowl receiver Keyshawn Johnson and have talked to the Baltimore Ravens about acquiring the fifth pick in the upcoming draft. A source familiar with the talks told The Associated Press on Monday night that the Jets want Atlanta's first-round pick, fifth overall, which the Ravens own, plus a player or another draft pick. The Ravens have spoken with several teams about the No. 5 choice. Johnson, the No. 1 overall pick in 1996, has two years remaining on his contract, on which he makes an average of $2.5 million a season.

Elliott retires ... for now

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Veteran tackle John ''Jumbo'' Elliott retired Monday and will undergo back surgery later this month. Elliott asked the New York Jets to place him on the reserve-retired list and the team said it would do so. But Elliott could return to the Jets following the surgery, should he feel healthy enough to continue his career. Bothered by back pain last season, Elliott, 34, still started 15 games and played in all 16. A 12-year veteran, Elliott played for the Jets the last four seasons at left tackle after leaving the New York Giants as a free agent.

Report: Marino talking with Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS - Dan Marino was offered Minnesota's starting quarterback job last week in talks with Vikings coach Dennis Green. Marino, who has not attracted much interest from other teams, also is considering retirement. The 38-year-old quarterback, the NFL's career leading passer, became a free agent last month after voiding his contract with Miami. Minnesota has decided not to re-sign starter Jeff George, and plans to release Randall Cunningham. By releasing Cunningham after June 1, the Vikings will free more room under the salary cap. The Vikings are hesitant to hand over the starting job to Daunte Culpepper, the team's No. 1 draft pick last year.

Thomas agrees with Dolphins

MIAMI - Thurman Thomas decided to join the team he has long tormented. The former Buffalo Bills running back agreed to contract terms Monday with the Miami Dolphins, said his agent, Leigh Steinberg. The three-year, $3.6 million deal includes a $750,000 signing bonus and numerous incentives that could be worth millions more, Steinberg said. Terms will likely be finalized within a couple of days, he said. Thomas, a 12-year veteran, ranks ninth in NFL history with 11,938 yards rushing.

Chargers dump Means

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Chargers released running back Natrone Means on Monday, a move Means said he expected. Means missed 15 of the last 22 games and rushed for just 277 yards on 125 carries last season. Means, 27, had arthroscopic surgery on both ankles and a knee last week.

Frerotte agrees with Broncos

DENVER- According to AP Gus Frerotte has reached agreement with the Denver Broncocs ona one-year, $1 million contract and will compete with Brian Griese for the team's starting quarterback job.

Report: Denver coach leaving

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Wide receivers coach Craig Heimerdinger is leaving the Denver Broncos to become offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, The Tennessean reported Saturday. Reached at his home Friday night, Heimerdinger said he didn't want to comment until a formal announcement was made. Heimerdinger, part of two Super Bowl teams at Denver, visited Nashville last week, and has interviewed with Titans coach Jeff Fisher three times.

Updated March 2, 2000 @ 8:00PM CDT

Webb takes Dolphins offer

MIAMI - Offensive tackle Richmond Webb agreed to remain the Miami Dolphins' franchise player, which means he'll avoid a repeat of the contract stalemate that caused him to miss training camp last season. Webb, 33, accepted the $4.124 million salary that goew with the tag and will be available for the offseason conditioning program, which begins March 20. Defensive tackle Jermaine Haley, the Dolphins' seventh-round draft choice in 1999, signed a three-year deal. He played in the Canadian Football League last year. The Dolphins re-signed guard John Bock to a one-year contract.

Zeier to serve under King

TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, settling on a backup for quarterback Shaun King, re-signed unrestricted free agent Eric Zeier to a three-year contract on Thursday. Zeier, 27, started one of two games he played last season for the Bucs, throwing for 256 yards but failing to get the team into the end zone in a 20-3 loss to the Detroit Lions. He suffered a left rib contusion during the game, opening the door for Trent Dilfer to regain the No. 1 job. By the time Zeier recovered a month later, Dilfer had broken his collarbone and King, a rookie, had taken over the starting job. The Bucs won four of five games down the stretch, then advanced to the NFC championship game with King backed up by Zeier.

Updated March 2, 2000 @ 7:00AM CDT

Evans suspended for 2000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Josh Evans, a starting defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans, was suspended for the 2000 season by the NFL for violating the substance-abuse policy, a league source said Wednesday. Evans had been suspended for the first four games of the 1999 season, making his next positive test a suspension for a full year. Evans said he was shocked when told he had failed a drug test and he believes the NFL will lift its suspension after reviewing his appeal.

Bucs, McDaniel agree on deal

TAMPA, Fla. - Former All-Pro guard Randall McDaniel was added to Tampa Bay's revamped offensive line Wednesday, signing a three-year contract worth more than $6 million. McDaniel, released by Minnesota in a salary cap move on Feb. 10, said he was fulfilling a desire to stay with a Super Bowl contender and work under coach Tony Dungy. The 11-time Pro Bowl selection at left guard received a signing bonus of about $2 million and will be reunited with former Minnesota Vikings teammate Jeff Christy, the two-time Pro Bowl center who signed a five-year, $17.5 million deal with the Buccaneers on Feb. 15.

Tate admits threatening mother of his child

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Robert Tate admitted threatening the mother of his child and was ordered Wednesday not to contact her. Sherita Jackson said in court papers that Tate threatened during a Feb. 11 telephone call to ''get my cousin to beat'' her. Tate's lawyer, Jeff Foreman, said Tate regrets making the threatening remarks and that they were out of character. Tate, 27, agreed not to harass or contact Jackson. He also must undergo anger-management counseling.

Meadows re-signs with Colts

INDIANAPOLIS - Adam Meadows, a member of the Indianapolis Colts offensive line that allowed an NFL-low 14 quarterback sacks last season, signed a new contract Wednesday for a reported $20 million over five years. ''I'm real excited,'' Meadows told The Indianapolis Star. ''I told the team early on that I was willing to give up free agency to be a part of what's going on here. Thank God they felt the same way. They were very fair in their approach. Obviously the team is showing an awful lot of faith in me.'' The Star reported Wednesday that Meadows, a restricted free agent, will receive a $5 million signing bonus and base salaries of $500,000 in 2000, and $1.5 million, $3.5 million, $4.5 million and $5 million in subsequent years, making him the team's highest-paid offensive lineman.

Seahawks makes Mayes official

KIRKLAND, Wash. - The Seattle Seahawks re-signed wide receiver Derrick Mayes to a multiyear contract and released their starting strong safety, former Pro Bowler Darryl Williams, on Wednesday. Williams, an eight-year veteran, became expendable after Seattle signed free agent Reggie Tongue to become its starting strong safety next season. Mayes, a four-year NFL veteran, led the Seahawks with 62 catches last season. He had 829 yards and caught a team-leading 10 touchdown passes.

Rison pleads innocent to theft

OLATHE, Kan. - Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Andre Rison pleaded innocent to charges of theft from an Overland Park, Kan., music store. Rison is scheduled back in court on March 10. Johnson County prosecutors have charged Rison, 32, with theft of electronic equipment last September from Guitar World. Authorities say Rison rented the equipment and never returned it. Rison was arrested Feb. 16 and is free on $2,000 bond. Rison also is facing a lawsuit from a neighbor who said in a complaint filed last week in Johnson County, that the woman loaned Rison $200,000 last year and he never paid it back.

Brown's suspension lifted

Orlando Brown won't have to sit out any more games for shoving a referee. The Cleveland Browns announced Tuesday that the NFL decided that their right tackle had been punished enough for forcefully pushing Jeff Triplette to the ground in a game against Jacksonville last Dec. 19. As result, Brown's suspension is being lifted effective Wednesday. That means Brown served a two-week suspension and loss of salary of more than $49,000. Brown was suspended on Dec. 22 for knocking Triplette down after the official threw a penalty flag that accidentally struck Brown in the right eye. Brown, whose father is blind from glaucoma, said concern for his eyesight caused him to storm back to the field and shove Triplette. Brown was hospitalized for six days with bleeding behind the eye.

Examiner releases report in Lewis case

ATLANTA - The two men stabbed to death after a Super Bowl party in Buckhead may have been attacked by as many as 10 people, according to a report by Teresa R. Price, an investigator for the Fulton County medical examiner. Price arrived at the scene of the Buckhead stabbing shortly after police and interviewed witnesses. Her report was released to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tuesday. Baltimore Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis, Reginald Oakley and Joseph Sweeting have been charged with murder in connection with the stabbing deaths of Jacinth Baker, 21, and Richard Lollar, 24, both of Decatur.

Cunningham staying in Minnesota

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - The Minnesota Vikings will not waive Randall Cunningham, the quarterback said Tuesday. Had the Vikings waived Cunningham by Wednesday, they could have avoided paying him a $1 million roster bonus. But coach Dennis Green has said the team cannot afford the accelerated salary cap hit of $3.3 million that releasing Cunningham would create. Cunningham told Midwest Sports Channel and WCCO Radio that he wants to focus on football and honor his contract. If Cunningham continues to resist a pay cut, the Vikings would wait until after June 1, when the salary cap hit would dip to $1.833 million.

Warrant issued for Dawkins

ISSAQUAH, Wash. - A warrant was issued for the arrest of Seattle Seahawks receiver Sean Dawkins on Tuesday after he failed to show up for a court appearance on a drunken driving charge. Team spokesman Dave Pearson said Dawkins missed his arraignment at Issaquah District Court because of a miscommunication with his lawyer. Dawkins was on a cruise at the time of the hearing but was returning immediately to take care of the matter, Pearson said. Dawkins was arrested and charged with drunken driving after being stopped by a Washington State Patrol trooper on Nov. 13.

Redskins sign Coleman for six years

ASHBURN, Va. - Marco Coleman, whose 6½ sacks and locker room leadership helped the Washington Redskins return to the playoffs last season, signed a six-year, $26 million contract with the team Tuesday. Coleman seriously considered an offer from the Arizona Cardinals, but accepted a Redskins offer that will pay him $6.5 million over the first two seasons. He could earn an additional $3 million per year if he meets certain incentives. The 30-year-old defensive end, who spent four years in Miami and three in San Diego, played for $1 million last season as a late free agency signing.

Buccaneers re-sign Odom

TAMPA, Fla. - Free agent tackle Jason Odom re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday, signing a three-year contract with the club for which he started the first three games last season. Odom missed the last 13 games because of a back injury that required surgery. Odom was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 24 after undergoing surgery. He said Wednesday that his recovery is on schedule and he should be able to participate in the club's offseason program this spring.