Bucs sign Middleton to a one-year contract

By ERNEST HOOPER

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 6, 2000

TAMPA -- The Bucs signed guard Frank Middleton, a restricted free agent, to a one-year deal Friday. Terms were not disclosed, but Middleton was tendered as a first-round pick at the beginning of the free-agent period in February. The initial tender offer was $1.027-million and it's believe the one-year offer is for that amount.

Middleton has started the past 37 games (counting playoffs) at right guard for the Bucs. The fourth-year pro was a third-round pick by Tampa Bay in the 1997 draft. After the 2000 season, Middleton will be an unrestricted free agent. The Bucs may look to sign Middleton to a long-term deal before allowing him to test the free-agent waters.

That decision will be based in part on how well veteran guard Randall McDaniel and rookie Cosey Coleman perform this season.

LEWIS UPDATE: Ray Lewis will be tried with his two co-defendants, and their murder trial will start May 15 in Atlanta. The defense's request for separate trials was denied. Judge Alice Bonner said the court was "not persuaded that the issues raised by defendants justify severance" of the trial.

The Baltimore Ravens linebacker, Joseph Sweeting and Reginald Oakley are charged with murder in the stabbing deaths of Jacinth Baker and Richard Lollar. The two men were killed after a fight following a post-Super Bowl party in Atlanta. Lewis, 24; Sweeting, 34, of Miami; and Oakley, 31, from Baltimore, face up to life in prison if convicted.

MARINO HONORED: Current and former Dolphins, Hootie and the Blowfish and other entertainment and sports celebrities will honor Dan Marino Aug. 23 at Pro Player Stadium. The Dolphins are hoping to pack Pro Player Stadium for the event. Tickets are $2.

RESIGNATION: NFL Enterprises president Ron Bernard resigned, becoming the third high-ranking executive to leave the league in the past six months. Bernard, the president of NFL Enterprises since it was formed in 1993 to oversee NFL Internet businesses and its international arm, will continue to oversee the NFL Europe League at least through the World Bowl on June 25.

COWBOYS: The team released Mike Quinn after two seasons at quarterback, giving Paul Justin the No. 2 spot behind Troy Aikman. The only other quarterback on the roster is Arena and World league veteran Charles Puleri.

49ERS: Running back Garrison Hearst is scheduled for surgery today on his left leg, a procedure doctors hope will save the former Georgia star's career. Hearst missed all of last season after breaking his left ankle in an NFC playoff game on Jan. 9, 1999, against the Falcons in the Georgia Dome.

JETS: Although the coaching juices no longer flow, Bill Parcells still wants to be involved with the NFL. So he is remaining with the team as director of football operations for an indefinite period. Parcells said he will oversee the team for the 2000 season, helping in the transition to a new owner, Woody Johnson, and a new coach, Al Groh. Parcells resigned Jan. 3 and was expected to leave the Jets this summer.

PACKERS: Mike Morton, a special-teams standout for the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams last season, signed.

RAMS: The team cut backup linebacker Lorenzo Styles to make room under the salary cap, but may re-sign him for less money in the coming weeks.

REDSKINS: Punter Tommy Barnhardt signed a one-year, $440,000 contract with the team.

SEAHAWKS: Offensive lineman Robbie Tobeck will be out for six to eight months after surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left knee. He tore the tendon Tuesday during a workout.

TITANS: The team expects to begin negotiations next week with Pro Bowl running back Eddie George, whose contract expires after the 2000 season.

-- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.

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