Around the NFC

By Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 11, 2000

BEARS: WR Marcus Robinson worked out with the team for the first time in two weeks. But Robinson, recovering from an abdominal strain, will not play in Saturday's preseason game against the Browns. Receivers D'Wayne Bates and Marty Booker also returned to practice but are questionable. "Put it this way, the fact that they aren't out there hasn't helped, but it won't kill us," QB Cade McNown told the Chicago Tribune. "I don't see it as a huge roadblock."

COWBOYS: The team obtained tight end Lawrence Hart in a trade with the Saints for a seventh-round pick in the 2002 draft. The Saints had acquired the 23-year-old from the Packers on July 12 in exchange for fullback Marvin Powell. The 6-4, 260-pound Hart had 17 receptions for 179 yards and two touchdowns for NFL Europe's Rhein Fire last season. The team released RB Phillip Rogers to make room for Hart.

FALCONS: Tight end O.J. Santiago, a three-year starter who tore a pectoral muscle early in training camp, likely will see his first preseason action tonight against the Bengals. ... The team released rookie free agents DB Dwayne Stukes and WR Steve Vagedes.

49ERS: Center Chris Dalman had a comprehensive examination Wednesday that revealed better news for the seven-year veteran. He has a herniated disc between the fifth and sixth vertebrae and could return to the field in time for the start of the regular season, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Thursday.

LIONS: With a bulk of their personnel relatively healthy, the team completed its final practice of training camp at Saginaw Valley State University. "I think that we have accomplished some of the things that we wanted to accomplish physically," coach Bobby Ross said. "I love our team. I really like they way they work." ... CB Terry Fair (knee), WR Herman Moore (quadriceps), S Ron Rice (shoulder) and T Ray Roberts (knee) will miss Saturday's game against the Bills but should be on the practice field Monday.

RAMS: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Pro Bowl WR Isaac Bruce could become the team's third $40-million man. Bruce reportedly has been offered a seven-year deal worth $42-million, plus an $11-million signing bonus. Bruce's agent Jimmy Sexton said the sides are "getting closer." The Rams have QB Kurt Warner ($46.35-million) and RB Marshall Faulk ($45.15-million) signed for $40-plus million. Also, DE Kevin Carter has been offered a $45-million deal but has yet to accept. ... DE Sean Moran will be out 4-6 weeks with a twisted knee. The former Buffalo Bill twisted it in Wednesday evening's practice. "He was having such a good camp, it's a little distressing for us," coach Mike Martz said. "I feel bad for Sean because he's playing so well but we'll get him back and he'll be fine."

REDSKINS: RB Stephen Davis is expected to see his first action of the preseason tonight against the Patriots. "I'm going to do things better than what I did last season," Davis told the Washington Post. Davis missed the final two regular-season games last season and was limited in the playoffs because of a high ankle sprain. He was kept out of the team's preseason opener last weekend against the Bucs for precautionary reasons. ... Eleven days after the death of his father, CB Darrell Green returned. The loss of Leonard Green Sr., who never told Green he was too small to play in the NFL when others did, drained his energy and desire to put the pads on again. Green, a seven-time Pro Bowl player, was motivated to return after he got a call from Rev. Brett Fuller, the pastor of Green's local church in northern Virginia. "When I came here, it was very emotional. Talking to guys, I just couldn't talk about it much," Green said. "But when I got out here (on the field), I said I'm so glad I came back." ... DB Lloyd Harrison, DE Nolan Harrison, T Andy Heck, G John Osterhout, and K Brett Conway will not play against the Patriots because of injury. CB Tyronne Drakeford (hamstring) will be a game-time decision.

SAINTS: Unrestricted free-agent tight end Scott Slutzker signed. The 27-year-old had 11 receptions for 164 yards and one touchdown in 11 games, including two starts, with the team last season. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder has 15 catches for 196 yards and one touchdown in 41 games, including four starts, with Indianapolis and New Orleans since 1996. He was a third-round selection of the Colts in 1996 after he'd played at the University of Iowa. Terms of the contract weren't disclosed.

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