NFL

Bucs TE Crawford retires

TAMPA -- The Bucs got some wiggle room under the salary cap Thursday when reserve tight end Casey Crawford, who was active for four games last season, announced his retirement.

"He's just not interested in playing anymore," his agent, Joe Linta, said. "It's hard for guys to admit it sometimes, but he just didn't want to do it."

The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Virginia graduate played primarily on special teams in one season with the Bucs, but he caught five passes for 57 yards and one touchdown in two seasons with the Panthers. Crawford, who will host an outdoors television show in Charlotte, N.C., was due to make $450,000 in 2003, and his retirement will give the Bucs $225,000 in room under the salary cap.

Crawford's retirement leaves the Bucs with only Ken Dilger and Dan Wilcox as tight ends under contract. The Bucs have tendered an offer to Todd Yoder, who caught two passes last season, is unsigned and is a restricted free agent. Veteran Rickey Dudley, who caught 16 passes and scored three touchdowns last season, is an unrestricted free agent.

Smith wanted to start

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The opportunity to remain a featured back lured Emmitt Smith to the Cardinals, a franchise with no history of success and the smallest crowds in the league.

Smith, signed by the Cardinals to a two-year deal worth $7-million to $8-million, was introduced at a news conference at the team's headquarters.

"This was definitely a football decision," Smith said. "A couple of other teams were asking me to come in and be a backup. I didn't foresee myself being a backup."

The league's career rushing leader says 1,200 to 1,300 yards is a reasonable goal next season.

"Why wouldn't it be?" he said. "I think that it's very reasonable. I expect that of myself. I expect myself to be over a 1,000-yard back every year. I just have to stay healthy, obviously, and everybody else has to do their job."

Owner Bill Bidwill and Smith held up a red Cardinals jersey with the No. 22 and Smith's name on it. Cornerback Duane Starks, who wore 22 last season, agreed to give it to Smith.

The news conference was televised live in Phoenix and in Dallas, where Smith played 13 seasons for the Cowboys.

FALCONS: Receiver MarTay Jenkins signed, according to an ESPN.com report. Jenkins caught 21 passes for 250 yards in eight games for the Cardinals last season before breaking his collarbone.

PATRIOTS: Quarterback Tom Brady restructured his contract late last week to give the team room under the salary cap. Brady's base salary of $3.125-million for next season was reduced to $450,000. The difference $2.675-million was guaranteed, allowing the Patriots to prorate it over the length of the deal.

RAIDERS: Coach Bill Callahan said defensive tackle Darrell Russell would not be welcomed back when the league reinstates Russell from his suspension for violating its substance-abuse policy.

VIKINGS: Pro Bowl running back Michael Bennett has a stress fracture in his left foot and is scheduled for surgery today. He is expected to be out six weeks.

OBITUARY: Hal Taft, the announcer at Broncos games at old Mile High Stadium for more than 25 years, died Monday in Denver of heart failure at 76.

-- Information from Times wires was used in the report.

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