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Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published March 30, 2001
Panthers fortify line by adding Vikes free-agent tackle Steussie
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Todd Steussie, a two-time Pro Bowl left tackle, agreed Thursday to a six-year, $28-million deal with the Panthers, who surrendered a league-high 69 sacks last season.
Steussie, 30, is Carolina's third major free-agent acquisition on the offensive line in as many weeks, joining Ravens center Jeff Mitchell and Dolphins guard Kevin Donnalley.
Steussie was released by the Vikings in a salary-cap move.
"We think he's one of the better left offensive tackles in football," Panthers coach George Seifert said. "He brings experience at that position and that's something that we've been looking for. Aside from that, he's also been a very durable player."
Steussie's deal includes a $4.75-million signing bonus and another $2.5-million roster bonus next March, agent David Dunn said. Steussie will count only $1.3-million toward the salary cap this season.
Steussie, 6 feet 6 and 308 pounds, has played seven seasons and helped Robert Smith run for four straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Vikings.
Steussie, who criticized All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss before leaving the Vikings, said he's happy to be in Carolina.
"I've only had one losing season in my career of football," Steussie said. "I'm used to winning. That's how I carry myself and what I expect out of myself. That's what I hope my teammates will expect out of me."
Steussie has started in all but one of the 112 games he has played in as a professional.
"I pride myself in not missing games and playing through injuries," he said. "Nicks and bruises and scrapes do happen in the game and you have to play through that. I think it's a pride thing and an honor thing not to let your teammates down and make sure that you're out there."
In 1998, he allowed one sack all season as the Vikings scored an NFL-record 556 points.
Steussie's main responsibility this season will be protecting the blind side of new quarterback Jeff Lewis.
Steussie, taken in the first round of the 1994 draft out of California, became the first Vikings offensive lineman to start all 16 games as a rookie.
BENGALS: Quarterback Akili Smith's trial on charges of drunken driving has been set for April 16 in San Diego.
CHIEFS: The Dallas Morning News reported that Kansas City has contacted representatives of Denver's Pro Bowl quarterback, Brian Griese, trying to line up a visit. Griese is a restricted free agent.
COWBOYS: Coach Dave Campo, 53, will have hip replacement surgery after the upcoming season.
PATRIOTS: Ex-Dolphins backup quarterback Damon Huard has agreed to terms, agent Michael Sullivan told Sports Illustrated. Terms are not known, but Huard will back up Drew Bledsoe.
RAIDERS: A construction company executive testified that he worked closely with the Raiders in early 1995 on plans for a new stadium at Hollywood Park that would take 18 months to construct and cost $17-million to build and furnish. Ronald N. Tutor said the planning ended and Davis "was particularly angry that the NFL had told him it wanted to insert another team in Los Angeles."
REDSKINS: Washington re-signed free agent Kevin Mitchell, a career special-teams player who could become a starter at linebacker because of the team's salary purge. Mitchell joined the Redskins last season and was the backup to middle linebacker Derek Smith, who started all 16 games. Smith signed as a free agent with San Francisco this month. Mitchell is recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and will not be able to fully participate in this weekend's minicamp. The Redskins have so little room under the NFL's salary cap that they can't sign anyone without releasing another player or restructuring a contract. To make room for Mitchell, the team cut receiver prospects Jammie Deese and Ethan Howell.
TITANS: The trade sending defensive end Kevin Carter from the Rams to Tennessee likely will not be finalized for a few more days. The last details still were being worked out, then the NFL will review the entire package, which was designed to let both the Rams and Titans escape a $5.4-million salary-cap hit this season. Carter isn't expected to sign the contract before Tuesday in St. Louis, but he was scheduled to visit Nashville on today for a physical and to meet with Titans officials and reporters.
AIKMAN CONSIDERING NETWORK JOBS: Troy Aikman is weighing job offers from NFL teams and broadcast networks and likely will decide within a few weeks which to take, his agent said. Networks have long been interested in the ex-Cowboys quarterback, but the fact he's taking their offers seriously is a shift that indicates he may be ready to call it a career. "I think he's had a few second thoughts about if he wants to play football at all," agent Leigh Steinberg said.
THIGPEN ROBBED IN HOME: An armed robber forced his way into Yancey Thigpen's home in Charlotte, N.C., tied up the receiver and two women and fled with cash and jewelry. Police said the robbery happened just after 8 a.m. No one was injured and a search was begun for the suspect, who police said fled into a wooded area behind Thigpen's home. Police said the suspect forced his way into the house, tied up Thigpen, his sister and his girlfriend, and forced them into a closet with an infant child.
NFL'S OLDEST PLAYER DIES: Dr. James Ailinger, the league's oldest former player, died at age 99 in Rochester, N.Y. The former Buffalo dentist's NFL career began and ended in 1924, when he played one season as center and nose guard for the Buffalo Bisons, formerly called the Buffalo All-Americans.