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Around the NFL

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 14, 2001

NFL notes

Big winners not all among big spenders

Success in the NFL isn't always the result of big spending. Look at the Giants and Redskins.

The Giants went to the Super Bowl with the third-lowest payroll in the league, $57.3-million, or more than 40 percent less than the Redskins spent to finish third in the NFC East.

The figures, released Tuesday by the NFL Players Association, show the Redskins, not unexpectedly, led the NFL in spending last season with $92.4-million in salaries and bonuses after signing big-name veterans Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders and Jeff George.

Baltimore, which beat the Giants 34-7 in the Super Bowl, was second, spending $90.7-million. The Buccaneers ranked sixth at $76.8-million.

The figures show how confusing the salary cap can be.

Of the 31 teams, 18 exceeded last season's cap of $62-million, including the Bengals, considered to be one of the league's cheapest teams. Their payroll was $68.6-million. Of the 12 playoff teams, eight were in the top half in payroll. The Giants, Broncos, Vikings and Saints were in the bottom half.

The free-agent period begins March2 and teams are supposed to be at or below the salary cap, which will be around $67-million this season.

The salary figures do not represent the cap figures, but a team that spent a lot is likely to have more cap problems.

"It's an ever-changing scenario," says Ernie Accorsi, general manager of the Giants, who is planning to spend major money to re-sign cornerback Jason Sehorn and running back Tiki Barber, by far New York's two most important free agents. Sehorn, whose salary last year was $5.6-million, already is the NFL's best-paid cornerback.

BILLS: Buffalo filled out its defensive staff, naming Pat Thomas defensive backs coach and Steve Jackson defensive backs assistant and third-down specialist. Two others, John Levra (defensive line) and Chuck Lester, who moves from linebackers coach to defensive assistant and administrative assistant to the head coach, were retained.

BRONCOS: A court hearing for quarterback Brian Griese on a drunken-driving charge was postponed because of a family emergency. Griese had been scheduled to be arraigned today in Arapahoe (Colo.) County Court, county district attorney spokesman Michael Knight said. Knight did not know what the emergency was. ... David Gibbs was named safeties coach and Frank Bush will take over the special teams after being the nickel package/secondary coach last season.

CARDINALS: The Arizona Tourism and Sports Authority board voted 7-2 to choose a site in Tempe, a mile from where the team now plays, rather than an undeveloped tract of land in suburban west Phoenix for the team's new stadium. The facility, with a retractable roof and grass field that would slide out of the structure when not in use, is to open for the 2004 season.

DOLPHINS: Pro Bowl cornerback Sam Madison had surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle.

REDSKINS: After hearing wide receiver Albert Connell's contract demands, coach Marty Schottenheimer said the team will let Connell become a free agent next month rather than re-sign him.

TITANS: Doctors cleaned up the infected right shoulder of quarterback Steve McNair, who spent three days in the hospital. The ailment caused him to pull out of the Pro Bowl.

VIKINGS: Chris Walsh will serve at least 12 days in jail after pleading guilty to a drunken driving charge in Scottsdale, Ariz. He also was fined $1,277 as a result of his arrest near his home in Scottsdale in March. ... Running back David Palmer will become an unrestricted free agent March 2 after the team rescinded the final two years of his contract.

Bucs send 8 to Europe

Receiver and Clearwater High product Chris Daniels, who spent last season on injured reserve, was one of eight players the Buccaneers allocated to NFL Europe.

Daniels was assigned to the Barcelona Dragons, and kicker Andrew Bayes, guard Wilbert Brown and defensive back Terrance Parrish will play for the Frankfurt Galaxy.

Receiver Eddie Hardaway and defensive lineman Matt Sweeney were allocated to the Rhein Fire. Guard Kendall Mack and tight end Randy Palmer were assigned to the Scotland Claymores.

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