NFL Notes: No more football for Flutie

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — After defying the critics for 21 years, Doug Flutie is about to become one.

The local hero who won the Heisman Trophy and made the NFL's first drop kick in 64 years, announced his retirement Monday after spending his final season as backup quarterback for the New England Patriots.

"To finish it up by getting back here was very special," said Flutie, who played at Boston College. "There isn't a single time when I'll look back and say I wasn't prepared for that game or I didn't quite give it all I had. And that is one of the things I'm most proud of."

Flutie, 43, will be a college football studio analyst for ABC and ESPN.

He chuckled about his height — admitting he was one-eighth of an inch shorter than his listed 5 feet 10 — and even laughed about doubters still questioning the ability that brought him the 1984 Heisman Trophy, one Pro Bowl berth and six outstanding-player awards in the Canadian Football League.

"I said to this day, when I finally announce my retirement, they'll say, 'See, I told you he couldn't do it,' " Flutie said. "The fans were the ones that were always saying they have no doubt in my abilities."

Patriots coach Bill Belichick let him show one of those abilities in the finale last season against the Miami Dolphins as Flutie converted a point after touchdown with a drop kick.

Flutie's most memorable college play came on Nov. 23, 1984, when he threw a 48-yard desperation touchdown heave to Gerard Phelan on the last play to upset Miami 47-45.

Flutie played in 1985 for the USFL's New Jersey Generals, then spent two seasons with the Chicago Bears and three with New England before starting his eight-year CFL career.

Flutie returned to the NFL in 1998, starting 30 games in three seasons with Buffalo and 16 in his first year of four with San Diego.

Flutie won three CFL Grey Cup championships and passed for 14,715 yards and 86 touchdowns in 12 NFL seasons.

"It's just been a fun run for me," Flutie said. "It's given me the great thrills."

Notes

• Reggie Bush underwent an MRI exam on his left hamstring Monday after he spent all three days of the New Orleans Saints' rookie camp limited to watching or participating in half-speed drills. Bush, the No. 2 pick in the draft out of USC, said he expected to be 100 percent by the end of the week.

• Arbitrator John Feerick will hear arguments at the Tennessee Titans' headquarters today from the team and QB Steve McNair, who claims the team breached his contract April 3 when a trainer told him he could not work out on the property until he reworked his contract. The union wants McNair to be allowed to work out or be released. The Titans want protection from the potential liability of a $23.46 million salary-cap hit if McNair were to be injured.

• Detroit OT Jeff Backus agreed to sign the one-year, $6.98 million franchise-player tender when the Lions included a stipulation that they would not use the franchise designation on him in 2007.

• The Dolphins signed Marcus Vick, the brother of Atlanta QB Michael Vick. Miami plans to use the troublesome former Virginia Tech quarterback as a receiver and return specialist.

• The Cincinnati Bengals waived QB Craig Krenzel, a national champion with Ohio State who started five games for the Bears as a rookie in 2004.

• Jerry Kramer, star right guard of the Green Bay Packers under Vince Lombardi, will get back his Super Bowl ring that was lost 25 years ago when the president of a Chicago auction house returns it today.