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Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 5, 2001
Dallas to sign Leaf today
IRVING, Texas -- The Cowboys will sign Ryan Leaf to a two-year contract and bring him in as the No. 3 quarterback behind Quincy Carter and Anthony Wright, team owner and general manager Jerry Jones told the Dallas Morning News Tuesday night.
The Bucs cut Leaf, the second pick in the 1998 draft, on Monday. He was expected to be at practice today and in uniform Sunday for the opener against the Bucs.
Leaf's injury in his right (throwing) wrist could make his availability a question. But if he passes a physical today, Leaf would get $412,000, the minimum for four-year veterans, and receive no signing bonus, Jones said.
Leaf was not available for comment.
DARRELL GREEN RETIRES: Darrell Green always has said his career is secondary to his family, his church and his community. It was no surprise, then, when he launched his farewell tour on an upbeat note.
"I learned a long time ago that this is just a job, a means to an end," Green said. "Now it's time for the real deal."
Green formally announced what had been reported for a couple of days -- that he will retire at the end of the season, his team record 19th with the Redskins. He used the occasion to ask fans to give money to his foundation, the Darrell Green Youth Life Foundation, which he founded in 1988.
Green made his announcement shortly after coach Marty Schottenheimer revealed that second-round draft pick Fred Smoot had won a starting cornerback job over Green. Green said he had made his decision during training camp, and that the coach's move played no part.
At 41, Green is the oldest ever to play his position.
LABOR TALKS: The league and its locked-out officials got together again but broke off labor talks after three hours without making any progress, league spokesman Greg Aiello said.
The league locked out its 119 officials last week when negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement collapsed.
Aiello said another meeting is scheduled this morning.
According to the New York Times, the league set a deadline of late Wednesday or Thursday morning to reach an agreement or replacement officials will work the season openers.
ARENA LEAGUE: H. Wayne Huizenga, who owns the Dolphins, has been approved to purchase the Florida Bobcats with Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt, former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino and other investors. Terms weren't disclosed. The team is being sold by Dr. Michael Gelfand, and the league said the sale may be complete this month.