Bucs/NFL

Bucs' worth? Try $955-million

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published September 1, 2006

NEW YORK - Five teams, led by the Washington Redskins, have franchise values of more than $1-billion, according to Forbes' annual survey, and the Bucs are in the top 10.

The Bucs, owned by Malcolm Glazer, are valued at $955-million, eighth in the league. Glazer purchased the team in 1995 for a then-record price of $192-million.

The Redskins have led the list for seven straight years and are worth $1.423-billion, an increase of 13 percent over last year. They have an operating income of $108.4-million, more than double every team except Tampa Bay and Houston.

The Patriots rank second in Forbes' calculations at $1.176-billion. They are followed by the Cowboys at $1.173-billion, the Texans at $1.043-billion, and the Eagles at $1.024-billion.

The Texans stand second in operating income with $57.6-million, followed by the Bucs at $56.9-million.

On the other end of the chart are the Vikings, who were purchased last year by Zygi Wilf. They are last with a worth of $720-million - though that would rank second in major-league baseball behind only the Yankees.

Only one team, the Saints (27th at $738-million), had a negative operating income, $4.1-million.

BENGALS: Pro Bowl tackle Willie Anderson signed a five-year extension. Anderson, a first-round pick in 1996, has a deal through the 2011 season.

COLTS: The team expects an update today on the condition of kicker Adam Vinatieri, who has an injured non-kicking foot and will probably miss the team's final preseason game tonight against Cincinnati.

COWBOYS: The team signed Tony Romo to a $3.9-million contract that locks him up through next year, a show of faith for a backup quarterback who has been on the roster for three years without throwing a regular-season pass. He received a $2-million bonus.

EAGLES: Punter Dirk Johnson, now the holder on kicks as well with Koy Detmer's release, signed a six-year contract extension.

JETS: Tight end Sean Ryan was acquired from Dallas and receiver Sloan Thomas was claimed off waivers from Tennessee.

LIONS: Linebacker Teddy Lehman (ankle and foot injuries) went on the physically-unable-to-perform list, keeping him out at least the first six weeks of the season.

STEROIDS: The federal case involving former Panthers players is "the tip of the iceberg" of what might be going on in the league, the chairman of a congressional committee probing sports doping said. Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., said there will be more inquiries by the House Committee on Government Reform into the matter.

TRANSITION AT TOP: Roger Goodell officially takes over from Paul Tagliabue as commissioner today. The official time of change is 6 a.m., after Thursday's exhibition games end, in case a decision needs to be made.

SUSPENSION: Miami running back Sammy Morris has been suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league's steroid policy, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post reported on their Web sites. Both reported Morris tested positive in the 2005 season for ephedrine.

TRADE: The Vikings acquired quarterback Brooks Bollinger from the Jets for defensive tackle C.J. Mosley and an undisclosed draft choice .

Thursday's games

cowboys 10, vikings 10: Ten months and a day after his last reception, Terrell Owens received a standing ovation when he trotted in for host Dallas' first drive of the second quarter. Owens had one catch for 6 yards in his first action since his last game for the Eagles on Oct. 30.

Mike Vanderjagt, the other big offseason signee for Dallas, missed wide right on field goals of 32 and 33 yards in overtime, forcing a rare preseason game without a winner or loser. About the only consolation for the Cowboys was that at 3-0-1, they still had their first undefeated preseason since 1985.

Dolphins 29, Rams 9: Marcus Vick caught punts, grabbed a touchdown catch and even played a little quarterback for host Miami, trying to earn a spot two days before 53-man rosters are set.

Panthers 15, Steelers 13: John Kasay hit his fifth field goal on the final play, a 29-yarder that finished an unbeaten preseason for visiting Carolina and a winless one for Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh.

Bears 20, Browns 7: Rex Grossman and the visiting Bears finally found the end zone. Grossman threw a 6-yard score to tight end Desmond Clark - the first touchdown by Chicago's first-team offense in the preseason early in the first quarter.

Chiefs 10, Saints 9: Host Kansas City won on McKenzie Smith's 1-yard plunge late. No first-team skill player played for the Chiefs and Reggie Bush had four carries for New Orleans.

Jaguars 20, Falcons 17: Falcons coach Jim Mora planned to use most of his starters in the first half, but changed his mind during warmups. Jack Del Rio, coach for visiting Jacksonville, sat his starters as planned.

Giants 31, Patriots 23: Host New York wrapped up an unbeaten preseason on coach Tom Coughlin's 60th birthday. Stephen Gostkowski had three field goals for the Patriots

Ravens 17, Redskins 10: Steve McNair played two series and led the starters to their first touchdown since the opening drive of the first preseason game for visiting Baltimore.

Bills 20, Lions 13: J.P. Losman, just named the starter for visiting Buffalo, completed all five of his passes.

[Last modified September 1, 2006, 02:19:05]