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NFL
February 15, 2003
FORSYTH, Ga. -- Cowboys defensive end Peppi Zellner was arrested and charged with possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute.
Zellner and his brother, Mannon Lee Zellner Jr., were arrested Thursday by narcotics investigators from the Monroe County Sheriff's office and the Forsyth Police Department, Sheriff John Bittick said.
Peppi Zellner was released from the county jail Friday on $5,000 bond.
49ERS' RUMPH ACQUITTED: Cornerback Mike Rumph was acquitted of drunken driving after a four-day trial.
He had faced a maximum sentence of six months in jail.
"I'm just glad the truth came out in this case," Rumph said.
Miami Beach police said they stopped Rumph's car early July 6 after he left a South Beach nightclub. According to a Breathalyzer test, his blood-alcohol level was .091 percent. The legal limit in Florida is .08 percent. He also failed field sobriety tests.
Rumph testified that he was sober, saying he had only two mixed drinks in two hours at the club, and the defense attacked the validity of the blood-alcohol tests.
In other news, defensive coordinator Jim Mora and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will stay on the staff for new coach Dennis Erickson. The 49ers also will retain offensive line coach Pat Morris and quarterbacks coach Ted Tollner. The rest of the staff could be completed by next week, Erickson said.
BEARS: Greg Olson, who has tutored Jeff Garcia and Drew Brees, was hired as quarterbacks coach and Larry Brooks was named defensive line coach. Brooks spent the past four seasons as Seattle's defensive line coach.
BILLS: The team intends to release Jay Riemersma unless the veteran tight end takes a significant pay cut. He will make $3.5-million this season. After setting career highs with 53 catches and 590 yards in 2001, Riemersma had 32 catches for 350 yards last season. ... The team said it is not ready to "break the bank" to sign receiver Peerless Price. President Tom Donahoe said it's up to Price, who is eligible to become a free agent in two weeks, whether he wants to stay in Buffalo. "I'm not optimistic at this time," Price's agent, Tim McGee, said. "It may be unrealistic because it may not be cost-effective (for the Bills)."
CHARGERS: The team reached agreement with backup quarterback Doug Flutie on a restructured contract that could be worth $1.5-million next season, agent Kristen Kuliga said. Flutie, 40, had been due to make $4.5-million.
COLTS: Kicker Mike Vanderjagt agreed to restructure his contract. His base salary would have been $1.4-million but will drop to $530,000.
EAGLES: Long-snapper Mike Bartrum signed a five-year deal.