CLEVELAND - The agent who failed to file paperwork that would have made Dennis Northcutt a free agent says the wide receiver will never play for the Browns again.
Frustrated by Cleveland's refusal to trade Northcutt to Baltimore, agent Jerome Stanley said the Browns were hurting his client's career.
"Dennis Northcutt will never play for the Cleveland Browns again, under any circumstances," he said. "If they trade him to any team other than Baltimore, he will not report."
Browns president Carmen Policy said Stanley is "covering up for his mistakes" and should be trying to persuade Northcutt to return. He said if Northcutt wants to follow Stanley's advice "that's his decision to make."
The Browns contend Northcutt and Stanley failed to comply with the stipulation that they inform the club by certified mail of their intentions to void the remaining three years of his deal.
Instead of signing elsewhere, Northcutt remains in Cleveland for the next three years, averaging $700,000.
Northcutt has been trying to get traded to the Ravens, an AFC North rival. Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome declined comment.
"Why would we trade him to the team in our division that we have to chase?" Policy said. "Why help them get better?"
McKay looks for No. 2
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Atlanta is certain Ty Detmer can help Michael Vick learn the new offense - as a third-string quarterback. General manager Rich McKay and coach Jim Mora are still looking for a primary backup to replace former Gator Doug Johnson.
"We need a legitimate No. 2," Mora said.
"It's still too early to tell how things will shake out," McKay said. "We might still be about two months away from getting something done."
Detmer, 36, signed a one-year deal worth $775,000, has been a backup most of his career and hasn't attempted a pass since 2001.
Mora, hired Jan. 8 to replace Dan Reeves, will conclude a three-day veteran minicamp today.
TRANSPLANT FOR SUMMERALL: Veteran broadcaster Pat Summerall is scheduled to undergo a liver transplant after being flown to Jacksonville by air ambulance. "It's been a difficult time for the Summerall family," agent Sandy Montag said. "But I think the support of family and friends have been very important to Pat and his family at this time." Summerall is a recovering alcoholic who was convinced by friends in 1992 to enter the Betty Ford Treatment Center in California. His wife, Cheri, told the Dallas Morning News that he accepted that his alcohol abuse is the reason he is in the hospital now. "Although this month marks his 12th year of sobriety, alcoholism is a progressive disease, and the damage to his liver reached the point where a transplant is the only option for survival," she said. Summerall played in the NFL for 10 years before spending more than 40 years in the booth.
BEARS: Eight-time Pro Bowl guard Ruben Brown agreed to a three-year deal. Brown, released last month by Buffalo in a salary-cap move, is the second major addition to the line. He joins tackle John Tait, who signed a six-year, $33-million deal.
BILLS: Running back Willis McGahee performed every drill during minicamp without a knee brace. The former Hurricane is not quite where he was before he torn his ACL 14 months ago. But he's close. "I'm still a little rusty, but that's to be expected," he told the Buffalo News. "But I'm healthy and that's the important thing. I'm going to go out there and give it all I've got. There's no limit to what I can do right now."
DOLPHINS: Preliminary talks regarding a contract extension for cornerback Patrick Surtain have begun. The Dolphins have restructured deals with linebacker Zach Thomas, defensive end Jason Taylor and cornerback Sam Madison. Surtain had seven interceptions and 53 tackles last season.
VIKINGS: Defensive end Kenny Mixon was sentenced to 30 days in the county workhouse and 60 days of home monitoring after being convicted of drunken driving. Attorney Paul Baertschi said Mixon will wear a bracelet with a transmitter so authorities can track his movements. Also, three times a day he will exhale into a machine that can detect alcohol. Police said Mixon had a blood-alcohol level of 0.19 percent when he was stopped Nov. 18. It was his third arrest in 16 months. It could lead to a four-game suspension.
JERSEYS RECOVERED: Pro Football Hall of Famer Pete Pihos has his jerseys and memorabilia back. The items included a football signed by fellow Hall of Famers, two jerseys and pads. "I'm just thrilled to have them back," Pihos' former wife, Donna Pihos-Howell, said. "I'm going to put them back in a trunk where they've been for years." Winston-Salem, N.C., police said Shawn Michael Stevens, 26, faces one charge each of transporting stolen goods and issuing counterfeit checks after he was indicted. Pihos, 80, a defensive end and receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1947-55, has Alzheimer's disease. His former wife said she decided to sell the items to help offset the cost of medical care.
