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Flutie back in the CFL?

By Associated Press
Published March 19, 2005

HAMILTON, Ontario - At least one CFL team is interested in quarterback Doug Flutie.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats general manager Ron Lancaster told radio station CHML on Thursday that the team plans to contact Flutie's agent next week. Flutie was released last week by the NFL's San Diego Chargers.

The 42-year-old former Heisman Trophy winner had an eight-year stint in the CFL and won the league's outstanding player award an unprecedented six times. He played for Chicago, New England, Buffalo and San Diego in the NFL.

His agent said last week that Flutie wants to play for at least another season, and would explore all NFL options first.

BRONCOS: Offensive lineman Cooper Carlisle changed his mind after agreeing to a deal with the Ravens, and instead decided to stay with Denver. The guard, a backup most of last season who will have a chance to start in 2005, signed a two-year deal.

On Tuesday, Carlisle agreed in principle to a two-year contract worth $2-million with the Ravens. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound blocker was slated to be the primary backup to right tackle Orlando Brown and guards Edwin Mulitalo and Keydrick Vincent.

Instead, Carlisle returns to Denver hoping for a chance to get extended playing time.

JAGUARS: Linebacker Tommy Hendricks was charged with violating a restraining order taken out by his former wife. He was arrested Wednesday on the misdemeanor charge in nearby Clay County after calling his ex-wife twice the day after the restraining order was issued in Broward County, where the couple previously lived. He was later released on a $1,500 bond.

JETS: Traded middle linebacker Sam Cowart to the Minnesota Vikings for a seventh-round pick in this year's draft. Cowart saw his playing time diminish in 2004 after a knee injury knocked him out for an extended period and rookie Jonathan Vilma emerged as a standout player.

SEAHAWKS: Released right tackle Chris Terry. When healthy and not dealing with off-the-field problems, Terry was a valuable member of the Seahawks offensive line, starting 23 of the 25 games. But he served a four-game suspension during the 2003 season for violating the NFL's substance abuse and personal conduct policies and also missed six of the last seven games of last season with a right shoulder injury. Terry was scheduled to make $3-million next season.

STEELERS: Restructured the contract of left tackle Marvel Smith to free up $2.55-million in salary cap space. Smith will be paid $540,000 in 2005 instead of the $3.95-million in salary he had been due. The remaining $3.4-million was paid as a signing bonus.

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