NFL
NFL notebook: Oakland prepared for season without Tim Brown

By The Associated Press

AP Receiver Tim Brown's time as a Raider appears to be over after 16 seasons.

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NAPA, Calif. — Receiver Tim Brown told some of his Oakland teammates that he won't be playing for the Raiders this season.

"What he said to the guys is that he's not going to be around anymore," fellow receiver Jerry Rice said after practice yesterday. "I don't know what was said, but he's not going to be here anymore. This basically is going to wake everybody up that this is a business. You can't come in and feel like you've got it made."

Brown met with Raiders owner Al Davis yesterday and has another meeting scheduled to discuss his future with the team.

Brown, the longest-tenured Raider, appeared resigned to probably continuing his 17-year career in another city.

"There are going to be things I'm going to have to think about hard in the future," Brown said, "and we'll make those decisions."

Brown took part in position drills yesterday but sat out the rest of practice. The receivers got together at the end, Brown said something, and they all cheered, "Brown!"

Under new coach Norv Turner, fifth-year pro Jerry Porter is on track to become the franchise's receiver of the future. The Raiders also have Rice, 41, and several young receivers.

So what becomes of the 38-year-old Brown, who finished last season with 52 catches for 567 yards and two touchdowns?

"This is not an easy decision for anybody," Brown said. "You're talking about the so-called Mr. Raider the last 16 years. ... The timing of the situation, I'd rather do it now than the last cut of the year, for sure."

Brown has been a Raider since they drafted him in the first round in 1988 after he won the Heisman Trophy at Notre Dame.
 
"I think it's a big surprise," Rice said. "When you think about the Raiders, you think about Tim Brown."

Big Ben punches clock

LATROBE, Pa. — Ben Roethlisberger, the 11th pick in the draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, signed a six-year contract that could be worth as much as $40 million.

The former Miami of Ohio quarterback's contract includes $22.3 million in salaries and bonuses and $17.7 million in incentives.

Roethlisberger plans to use some of his bonus money to aid the police and fire departments in his native Findlay, Ohio, to fund a scholarship at Miami and to aid youth football in Pittsburgh.

Coaching contact

Coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Parcells found out firsthand yesterday how hard their players are practicing.

Cowher, coach of the Steelers, was knocked to the ground by linebacker Joey Porter during a pass-rush drill. Cowher was standing in as the quarterback.

Asked if it was his first sack, Cowher said, "It will be my last one, too. I should have saw who I had rushing. I definitely let my guard down."

Parcells, coach of the Cowboys, was knocked down by tight end Jason Witten during a drill.

Parcells got up smiling, but Witten said, "I was scared to death."

Notes

• Tennessee starting LB Peter Sirmon probably will miss the season with torn ligaments in his left knee. Sirmon twisted the knee Monday during the Titans' first practice in full pads. An MRI yesterday revealed torn anterior-cruciate and medial-collateral ligaments. He will seek a second opinion Monday from Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala. Rocky Boiman will step into his starting position.

• A day after agreeing to a $25 million, five-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, first-round draft pick DeAngelo Hall reported to training camp and attended meetings for most of the day. He was on the field in a night session, a starting cornerback despite a six-day holdout. "I'm glad all that is taken care of so I can focus on football," Hall said. ... QB Michael Vick returned to practice after missing two sessions with a blister on his left thumb.

• Minnesota Pro Bowl C Matt Birk returned to the Twin Cities for a follow-up examination on a pelvic injury that has kept him out of practice the last two days. Coach Mike Tice said the worst-case scenario is Birk would miss two or three weeks.

• San Diego QB Doug Flutie's left knee has no structural damage, according to an MRI, and the 41-year-old quarterback expects to practice today. Flutie has been resting since Sunday.

• First-round pick Jonathan Vilma injured his left calf during the New York Jets' morning practice and sat out the afternoon session. Coach Herman Edwards said the linebacker is day to day. Three other Jets defenders are hobbled as well: DT Josh Evans (sprained knee), LB Eric Barton (hamstring) and S Reggie Tongue (strained calf).

• Buffalo OT Mike Williams failed to show for the Bills' practice and will be fined. Williams was scheduled to attend yesterday's session after being excused Monday for personal reasons.

• Defensive back Tom Knight signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Rams and made his practice debut. Knight was released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.

• The NFL is satisfied that Steelers RB Jerome Bettis is not violating gambling rules by his involvement in a $500 million development project that could include a horse track, hotel, townhouses, stores and slot machines.

• Prosecutors have decided not to file charges against Miami TE Randy McMichael, who was arrested and accused of hitting his wife in late June.