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NFL roundup

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 14, 2000

Carruth was "excited' about baby

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Rae Carruth, on trial for plotting to kill his pregnant girlfriend, was excited about the birth of his son, his former teammate testified Wednesday.

Muhsin Muhammad, a wide receiver for the Panthers who roomed with Carruth, told jurors he and Carruth not only discussed the impending birth but also the mother, Cherica Adams.

Prosecutors contend Carruth, charged with first-degree murder, planned Adams' slaying to avoid paying child support. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

"We talked about the fact that he did not have a bond with his child in California," Muhammad testified, speaking about Carruth's son from a previous relationship. "He was excited about this opportunity to bond with this child."

Carruth said he wanted to remain good friends with Adams because he didn't want "any bad blood" that could harm his relationship with their child, he said.

Muhammad also disputed the state's claim that Carruth was worried about his financial future because he missed several games with an ankle injury before the Nov. 16, 1999, shooting of Adams.

PHILLIPS CASE: An arrest warrant was issued for Lawrence Phillips after the former NFL running back failed to appear for his trial Tuesday on charges of beating his girlfriend.

He is charged with felony counts of false imprisonment, corporal injury to a cohabitant, making a terrorist threat and conspiring to dissuade a witness.

The no-bail warrant was issued by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Bernard Kamins.

The player's lawyer, Eric Bates, could not be reached for comment.

On May 27, police were called to Phillips' Beverly Hills residence about 4 a.m. The girlfriend was treated for injuries at the scene.

BEARS: Quarterback Cade McNown will start Sunday at San Francisco after missing six weeks with a separated shoulder.

BRONCOS: Quarterback Brian Griese took another step in his recovery from a separated right shoulder, throwing about 30 passes in practice.

The league's top-rated passer has missed the past four games and will miss Sunday's game in Kansas City. He is projected to play in the regular-season finale Dec. 23 against San Francisco.

CARDINALS: With Jake Plummer and Dave Brown injured, third-string quarterback Chris Greisen might make his first NFL start Sunday against the Ravens' powerful defense.

Plummer (bruised ribs) and Brown (sore index finger) didn't throw in practice. Plummer is questionable and Brown probable, but Greisen will start if they can't practice by Friday, interim coach Dave McGinnis said.

CHARGERS: Coach Mike Riley remains a candidate for Southern Cal's vacant job despite his boss' insistence that the team won't let him out of his contract.

Riley said he spoke briefly with a USC official but claimed that he, like everyone else, was waiting to see what the school will do.

DOLPHINS: Defensive tackle Daryl Gardener pledges the team will reverse its recent pattern of late-season collapses. The Dolphins, who lead the AFC East, missed a chance to clinch a playoff berth when they lost to Tampa Bay 16-13. They'll try again Sunday against Indianapolis.

"We'll be in the playoffs," Gardener said. "You don't have to worry about that. This team has too much character, too much pride. We just know we're going to be there."

In other team news, coach Dave Wannstedt is leaning toward starting Damon Huard at quarterback. Jay Fiedler said his sore left shoulder was better, and he practiced on a limited basis. But that might not be enough to keep him in the lineup Sunday against the Colts.

"It makes me nervous," Wannstedt said. "We've got to be sure he can take a hit and throw accurately."

Fiedler is doubtful, meaning there's a 25-percent chance he'll play.

49ERS: Bill Walsh said Jerry Rice probably will play the final home game of his 16-year San Francisco career on Sunday against Chicago.

"The greatest player in our era of football will no longer wear a 49er uniform, in all likelihood," the general manager said. "I'm hoping everyone (at 3Com Park on Sunday) acknowledges it on their feet, chanting, "Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!' "

Walsh said Rice, scheduled to make $4.2-million next season in a contract that runs until 2004, likely will be released after June 1 because of salary-cap woes and the pressure from San Francisco's young receivers.

GIANTS: Left guard Glenn Parker will miss Sunday's game against the Cowboys after having surgery on his left knee. Parker is expected to be sidelined 7-10 days, so it's possible he also will miss the regular-season finale against the Jaguars. Jason Whittle is expected to start for Parker.

JAGUARS: Running back Fred Taylor did limited work in practice because of a deep bruise on his left leg. He's probable for Sunday's game against Cincinnati.

JETS: Quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who injured his left groin in Sunday's loss to Oakland, is probable for Sunday's game against Detroit.

PANTHERS: Reggie White ended his one-year retirement for a shot at winning another Super Bowl. That won't happen this season, and White isn't sure if he wants to try again next year.

"I need to see what the team wants to do, then I have to sit down and decide what I want to do," White said. "I'll make that decision after the season."

White, the league's career leader in sacks, turns 39 next week. He played 14 seasons for Philadelphia and Green Bay before retiring after the 1998 season.

PATRIOTS: Quarterback Drew Bledsoe wants to finish his career in New England, despite a disappointing season that finds his team in last place.

Bledsoe is in the next-to-last season of a seven-year, $42-million contract. If the deal isn't restructured, he will cost the team $9.8-million in salary-cap room next season.

There has been speculation Bledsoe wouldn't mind being traded to the Seahawks, who play in his home state of Washington and are in the market for a quarterback.

But Bledsoe made it clear he is hoping for a long-term deal in New England.

"It all starts with ownership," Bledsoe said. "We have one of the most influential owners (Bob Kraft) in the league and an owner that's very committed to winning football games. That's where it starts."

SAINTS: Running back Jerald Moore cleared waivers and was re-signed. Linebacker Phillip Ward was released.

STEELERS: Lee Flowers, the team's second-leading tackler, will miss Sunday's home finale against the Redskins. Flowers sprained a knee in the 30-10 loss to the Giants on Sunday. Rookie Ainsley Battles, an undrafted free agent from Vanderbilt, will replace Flowers.

Flowers had an MRI exam Monday but declined to reveal the results because coach Bill Cowher has a policy barring players from discussing injuries.

CFL: The Montreal Alouettes promoted former Patriots coach Rod Rust from defensive coordinator to coach, signing him to a two-year contract. Rust, 72, replaces Charlie Taaffe, who won CFL's coach of the year in 1999 and was nominated this year before leaving to become the University of Maryland's offensive coordinator.

ARENA: Ron Selesky, an assistant coach and director of player personnel from 1997-99, has been named coach of the Louisville franchise in Arena Football. Selesky was Carolina's assistant coach and director of player personnel last season.

MARINOVICH ARRESTED: Todd Marinovich, the troubled quarterback for the AFL's Los Angeles Avengers, was arrested for investigation of drug possession. Police said they believed the drug was heroin.

Marinovich, 31, was stopped by Los Angeles police about 2:20 p.m. He was booked at Parker Center police headquarters and was released on $10,000 bail, said Officer Don Cox.

Cox declined to provide further details.

It was Marinovich's second arrest this year. In April, he was arrested at an Avengers' practice and charged with rape. He was cleared when the district attorney's office found a lack of evidence.

-- Staff writer John C. Cotey contributed to this report.

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