Sports: NFL roundup

NFL roundup

Compiled from Times wires

Fed up, Cowboys cut Warren

IRVING, Texas -- Chris Warren's surly days with the Dallas Cowboys are over.

Warren was released Wednesday, three days after being benched early in a 27-7 loss to Tampa Bay.

Warren was pulled after dropping the first two passes thrown to him, the second of which was snagged by cornerback Brian Kelly and returned for a touchdown. Warren exchanged words with coaches and spent the rest of the game sulking on the bench.

The Cowboys decided they no longer could tolerate his lackadaisical effort and reticent reactions, both of which have happened before during his three seasons in Dallas.

"We don't ever make a decision based on a fumble, an interception or any of those things," coach Dave Campo said. "I think the big picture is that we need to head forward with guys I can count on from week to week."

The 11-year veteran's contract expires after this season. His playing time the final three weeks will go to rookie Michael Wiley.

Meanwhile, safety Darren Woodson, who is out for Sunday's game against Washington, said his status for the rest of the season is uncertain because of a broken right forearm that is worse than reported.

"It's a week-to-week thing," Woodson said. "We've got to wait and see what happens ... and how it feels."

QB JOHNSON RIPS SNYDER: Like Norv Turner, Brad Johnson figures his days with the Redskins are over.

So the quarterback who lost his starting job to Jeff George took some early parting shots at Dan Snyder and renewed the debate over whether the owner is too meddlesome in player decisions.

As the rest of the team adjusted to a pared-down daily routine and simpler offensive scheme under interim coach Terry Robiskie, Johnson said upper management, not Robiskie, decided to start George the rest of the season.

"I think that decision's made from up top. ... I think it's obvious," Johnson said. "I think Jeff's going to be the starter the rest of the way out. In case something happens with him, then I'll be ready to go. Otherwise, I'm just going to finish strong up here and deal with my situation in the off-season."

Robiskie, speaking after his first practice as coach, did not dispute Johnson's statement. He said the decision to go with George was made in talks among the coaches and Snyder, and he defended Snyder's right to have such input.

"A lot of people want to separate us from Mr. Snyder," Robiskie said. "Mr. Snyder owns the football team. I know that. I promise you there's very few things in the building I'm going to say I want to change without calling him to say I want to change it."

CARRUTH TRIAL: Rae Carruth urged a woman to wait before cooperating with a private investigator involved in his murder case, the woman testified.

Prosecutors played a voice mail message that Carruth left on Tanya Ferguson's cell phone Jan. 10.

"This is Rae," Carruth says in a muted tone on the message, which was difficult to understand in the courtroom. "I need you to do me a favor."

He then asked Ferguson, who was Panthers linebacker Hannibal Navies' girlfriend, not to cooperate with the private investigator until after she had spoken with Carruth's current girlfriend.

Carruth, 26, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of Cherica Adams, 24, on Nov. 16, 1999. Adams, who was Carruth's pregnant girlfriend, gave birth to a son, then died a month after the shooting.

EX-COWBOY CONVICTED: A federal jury in Mobile, Ala., convicted former Dallas running back Sherman Williams of charges of conspiracy and attempting to possess marijuana in a multistate operation. Williams was convicted of three charges involving seizures in Texas and Alabama of up to 1,000 pounds of marijuana.

BROWNS: With the team outscored 92-7 and embarrassed the past two weeks in Baltimore and Jacksonville, there is growing speculation that coach Chris Palmer might not be back for his third season. "I don't think about that a lot," Palmer said. "All I'm trying to worry about is getting the team better. Those decisions are made by other people, so I have no control over that."

CARDINALS: MarTay Jenkins is close to setting a record for most kickoff return yards in a season. The second-year player from Nebraska-Omaha needs 21 yards Sunday against the Panthers to break the record of 1,791 set by Tyrone Hughes of New Orleans in 1996.

CHARGERS: Coach Mike Riley said he has spoken to Southern Cal about its vacant coaching job, but he said he hasn't been offered the position. Riley, whose job is in jeopardy because of an NFL-worst 1-12 record, refused to elaborate.

DOLPHINS: Running back Thurman Thomas had reconstructive surgery in Miami to repair a knee injury that ended his season after nine games.

LIONS: Charlie Batch put his bruised ribs through a full practice without any problems, but the quarterback said today's practice will determine whether he starts Sunday in Green Bay. "I felt fine today, but the trick is how I feel tomorrow," Batch said. "If I can practice as well tomorrow as I did today, then I will be fine for Sunday."

RAMS: Marshall Faulk returned two kicks in practice, but coach Mike Martz said he would use his star running back on special teams only in an emergency.

ARENA LEAGUE: The league will hold its expansion draft Jan. 22 to stock the Chicago Rush and Detroit Fury.