10B THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
SPORTS
MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2006
NFL
Dolphins search for a quarterback
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Miami Dolphins stepped up their search for a new quarterback on the opening day of free agency Saturday, meeting with Drew Brees in Birmingham, Ala., while also considering a trade for Daunte Culpepper.
There's competition with the Dolphins for both quarterbacks, said a person involved in negotiations, who didn't want to be identified because the team has been tight-tipped about its personnel plans.
But the Dolphins clearly are interested in a replacement for Gus Frerotte, even though Brees and Culpepper are coming off significant injuries.
Brees tore the labrum and damaged the rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder in the Chargers' final game last season and underwent surgery Jan. 5. Culpepper was a three-time Pro Bowl selection for Minnesota, but played poorly last season before tearing three ligaments in his right knee in a game Oct. 30.
While the Dolphins were trying to figure out what direction to take, many other teams were busy signing players. Among the biggest deals:
—Denver re-signed defensive end Gerald Warren to a six-year deal, and also kept running
back Ron Dayne and long snapper Mike Leach.
—DeShaun Foster agreed to a three-year, $14.5 million contract with the Carolina Panthers that finally makes him their star running back.
—Free agent safety Marlon McCree left Carolina to agree to a five-year, $16 million deal with San Diego. McCree will make $6 million in bonuses and guaranteed money in the first two years of the deal.
The San Francisco 49ers traded leading receiver Brandon Lloyd to Washington for the Redskins' third-round pick this year and their fourth-round selection in 2007. They also resigned kicker Joe Nedley.
The Browns were busy revamping their offense, signing center LeCharles Bentley, left tackle Kevin Shaffer and receiver Ioe Ieeviusic.
The Vikings signed running back Chester Taylor, kicker Ryan Longwell and linebacker Ben Leber after retaining receiver Koren Robinson and safety Willie Offord.
Six-time Pro Bowl fullback Mike Alstott, agreed to a one-year contract with Tampa Bay, the only pro team he's played for.
But where Brees and Culpepper land are two of the biggest question marks of the early free agency period.
Miami coach Nick Saban and general manager Randy Mueller flew to Birmingham, where Brees has been rehabilitating his surgically repaired right shoulder. He went 20-11 the past two seasons for San Diego, but when contract talks with the Chargers stalled, they agreed to let him test the market. New Orleans also was believed to be pursuing Brees.
Vikings coach Brad Childress said they are in talks to trade Culbeenper.
Culpepper has been at odds with the Vikings over his 10-year, $102 million contract and wants to be traded. There has been speculation that Oakland, Baltimore, St. Louis and Arizona also are interested.
The Dolphins declined to comment, but it's clear their top priority is to upgrade the quarterback position, where Frerotte started last season. He's still on the roster, but may be released or return as a backup in 2006.
Warren joined the Broncos last season and had 44 tackles, three sacks and three pass breakups. His play was a marked improvement from his stint in Cleveland, where he never lived up to high expectations after being taken third overall in 2001.
Foster spent most of the last three seasons playing in the shadow of Stephen Davis.
to terms with defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu, who spent the past four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Kemoeatu agreed to a five-year deal worth $23 million, including $8 million in bonus money.
Bentley and Jurevicius grew up in Cleveland, rooting for the city's beleaguered NFL team.
"I can die happy now," said Bentley, who wore a Brown's jersey under his sports coat. "This has been my dream."
The Panthers also agreed
Bentley, who played the past four seasons for New Orleans, brings toughness, size and experience to the Browns' offensive line, which has been both inept and ignored by the team in recent years. His six-year deal is reportedly worth $36 million and includes $12.5 million in guarantees.
Jurevicius, who got a four-year deal, has played in three Super Bowls, including last season's for the Seattle Seahawks. The 31-year-old gives the Brown's dependable receiver to complement Braylon Edwards.
Lloyd was a restricted free agent for the 49ers, who drafted him in the third round three years ago. He was San Francisco's top receiver last season, catching 48 passes for 733 yards and five touchdowns for the NFL's worst offense, but alienated teammates and clashed with Mike Nolan's new coaching staff.
Alstott is the Bucs' career touchdowns leaders with 68, and his 4,917 yards rush rank second in club history. The Bucs also-re-signed defensive tackle Chris Hovan.
The St. Louis Rams inked free-agent safety Corey Chavous to a five-year contract, hoping to strengthen a defense that ranked 30th in the NFL last season. Chavous, an eight-year veteran, spent the last four seasons with Minnesota.
In other moves Saturday:
Defensive tackle Larry Trippelt and tight end Robert Royal signed with the Buffalo Bills as the team wasted no time addressing its numerous needs. Also, Eric Moulds' future could be determined by early next week after the veteran star receiver had a series of discussions with the team.
The Arizona Cardinals signed free-agent defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy to a four-year contract. Clancy played in all 16 games last season for the New York Giants, making 39 tackles, two sacks, forcing two fumbles and recovering one fumble.
Conference Land Athletics
- Defensive end Aaron Kampman signed a contract extension with the Green Bay Packers.
— The Jaguars signed free-agent cornerback Brian Williams.
TRACK Runner earns school's first championship
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Kansas State distance runner Christian Smith captured the school's first national championship since 1993 when he won the men's mile at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on Saturday.
Smith, a senior from Garfield, Kan., began pulling away during the final three laps of the eight-lap race. He finished in a time of 4:12.75, becoming the third Wildcat to be a four-time indoor All-American.
"I have been thinking about this race for quite a while," said Smith, who held off a late charge from Said Ahmed of Arkansas. "I saw the opening and I went for it."
Smith led the men's team to an 11th-place finish, its best since 1993. Earlier in the year, he broke a 20-year-old national record in the men's 1,000-meter run. He also won his third straight Big 12 title in the 1,000
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In other events, Kyle Lancaster finished second in the high jump with a clearance of 7 feet, 5 inches to earn All-American honors for Kansas State.
Breanna Eveland finished third in the pole vault, Shunte Thomas ninth in the women's 400 meters and Scott Sellers ninth in the high jump to also earn All-American honors
The Kansas State women finished 35th.
Jack Weinstein
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