NFL
Notebook: Wiley a Cowboy; Lynch dangles

By The Associated Press

	John Lynch
	E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

Defensive end Marcellus Wiley is now a Cowboy. John Lynch is soon to be an ex-Buccaneer.

A week after being released by San Diego, Wiley signed with Dallas yesterday in hopes of living up to his reputation as one of the league's more feared pass rushers. Wiley, who visited the Seahawks last weekend, got $16 million over four years, including a $4.5 million signing bonus.

Lynch, meanwhile, said the Bucs turned down his offer to renegotiate his contract and gave him permission to seek a new team.

"I take great pride in the fact that in my career in the NFL ... any success I've had is the result of my play, my passion for the game I love and the game I respect so much," the five-time Pro Bowl safety said. "Those values never changed in this process.

"This decision was not a result of my unwillingness to restructure my contract. That scenario, which would have been my preference ... was never an option. As a result, I will be playing football next year for a different team."

Lynch, 33, probably will be released, although general manager Bruce Allen said the Bucs also would explore the prospect of a trade once Lynch decides where he would like to play. The New York Jets and Indianapolis have expressed interest.

Colts coach Tony Dungy used to coach the Bucs, and the Jets' Herman Edwards, a former assistant in Tampa, is close to Lynch.

Wiley, who has 41 sacks in four seasons with Buffalo and three with San Diego, had his worst season last year with the Chargers. He had only three sacks after recording 13 in 2001, when he made the Pro Bowl.

Notes
 

• Carolina released LT Todd Steussie, who played seven years for the Minnesota Vikings and three for the Panthers. Steussie had two years remaining on a five-year contract and was to count $5.8 million against this year's salary cap. By releasing him, the Panthers free up $1.3 million in cap room.

• Safety Donovin Darius signed Jacksonville's tender offer of $4.6 million for one year. The Jaguars had made him their franchise player, meaning that was the minimum offer they could make.

• Denver signed DE Marco Coleman, a 34-year-old veteran who played last season for Philadelphia. He will help replace Bertrand Berry, who signed with Arizona after getting 11-1/2 sacks for the Broncos last season.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers released RB Amos Zereoue, who began last season as a starter. He was made expendable when the team signed Duce Staley and retained Jerome Bettis at a lower salary.

The Steelers also allowed restricted free agent Rodney Bailey to go to New England, which signed the defensive end last week to $1.3 million offer sheet. In return, the Steelers get New England's sixth-round pick in April's draft.

• The New Orleans Saints re-signed RB Lamar Smith to a one-year contract. The Saints signed Smith in late November after injuries left them thin in the backfield. Smith, 33, spent his first four seasons with the Seahawks. He rushed for 1,139 yards for the Miami Dolphins in 2000.

• Defensive tackle Paul Grasmanis signed a three-year contract to remain a Philadelphia Eagle. Grasmanis, 29, appeared in two games last season before tearing his Achilles tendon.

• The Indianapolis Colts re-signed QB Cory Sauter, OG Tupe Peko and LB Jim Nelson. Peko started at right guard in all three playoff games last season. Sauter, who signed a four-year deal worth $4.6 million, is expected to compete for the spot as Peyton Manning's backup.

• Safety Tyrone Carter agreed to a one-year contract with the Vikings. Carter, who spent the first three years of his career with the Vikings, was released last week by the Jets.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company