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Tuesday Roundup After 29 operations, Broncos' Schlereth set to retire
Updated: Tuesday April 17, 2001 9:08 PM
DENVER (AP) -- After 12 seasons and 29 operations, Denver Broncos offensive lineman Mark Schlereth is ready to retire. Schlereth, a 10th-round draft pick who opened holes for Terrell Davis and protected John Elway, scheduled a news conference for Wednesday to make the announcement. The 35-year-old lineman has had 20 knee operations, including 15 on his left knee. However, he missed only 26 games because of injury since his NFL debut with the Washington Redskins on Nov. 12, 1989. Schlereth played 156 regular-season games and was twice selected to the Pro Bowl for his play at left guard. He won a Super Bowl with the Redskins in the 1991 season and helped the Broncos to championships in 1997 and 1998.
He is one of only 13 players to win a Super Bowl in each conference. Schlereth became an unrestricted free agent this offseason but few expected him to return for a 13th season. Since being placed on injured reserve last November, he has lost about 45 pounds, dropping to 240. Broadcasting could be Schlereth's next venture. He is scheduled to provide color commentary for an NFL Europe game for FOX-TV next month, and a Denver TV station reportedly talked to him about being an analyst for Broncos exhibition games. Cowboys RB Smith faces eye surgeryIRVING, Texas (AP) -- Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith was scheduled for surgery Tuesday to correct a weak eye muscle that causes him to occasionally have double vision. Cowboys trainer Jim Maurer said that Smith's weak muscle is the one that controls movement. "He first started noticing it about 18 months ago," Maurer said Monday. "He had some double vision, and sometimes things just looked a little funny, depending on how he moved his eye. He recognized something wasn't right when he looked a certain way, and we got it checked out." Smith visited an eye specialist Thursday and Monday before scheduling the surgery. Maurer said a small incision will be made on the weakened muscle, then it will be reattached. The 11-year-veteran might have to spend the night at a hospital, but should be ready to participate in the Cowboys' first mini-camp for veterans from April 30 to May 3, Maurer said. The trainer said that as a precaution, the club could decide to keep Smith out of those drills. Rams receiver signs offer sheet with ChiefsKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Tony Horne, wide receiver and kickoff returner for the St. Louis Rams, has signed a two-year offer sheet with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Rams have until Friday night to match the offer and retain Horne, a restricted free agent who led the NFL in kickoffs with a 29.7-yard average when the Rams won the Super Bowl in 1999. Rams president Jay Zygmunt said Monday that the Rams would have to evaluate any offer before deciding whether to match it. Horne's agent, Rocky Arceneaux, said he wasn't sure what the Rams would do, but added: "I have a feeling Kansas City is in pretty good shape." Horne's primary role with the Rams has been as a kickoff returner and general special teams performer. With the Chiefs he would be expected to get more time at wide receiver. The Chiefs previously signed former Rams coach Dick Vermeil, giving up two draft picks. The two teams have talked about a deal for Rams backup quarterback Trent Green, although The Kansas City Star said Tuesday the teams were no closer on the Green deal than they were a month ago. The Rams have reportedly asked for first- and third-round draft picks for Green. The Chiefs have reportedly countered with an offer of their first-round pick, No. 12, for the Rams' first-round pick, No. 20. McDuffie accepts pay cut, Ward gets offerDAVIE, Fla. (AP) - Miami Dolphins receiver O.J. McDuffie accepted a pay cut of nearly $1.1 million in exchange for a guaranteed $1 million salary this season. McDuffie could earn another $1.35 million through incentives. The Dolphins also made a contract offer to free-agent receiver Dedric Ward, and were awaiting a response from his agent, a team spokesman said Tuesday. The revised agreement with McDuffie, reached Monday, allowed the Dolphins to clear about $1.5 million in salary-cap room, which could help them re-sign tackle Richmond Webb or safety Brock Marion. McDuffie's previous contract included a base salary of $2.09 million, which would have made him one of the highest-paid offensive players. But at 31, he isn't project to start this season. Coming off two operations and extensive rehabilitation to repair a torn tendon in his left big toe, McDuffie caught a career-low 14 passes in 2000 but resurfaced as a popular target for quarterback Jay Fiedler late in the season. Ward made 54 receptions for 801 yards and three touchdowns last year with the New York Jets.
DUI trial starts for Bengals QB SmithSAN DIEGO (AP) -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Akili Smith is innocent of two misdemeanor drunken driving charges and should not have been prosecuted, his attorney said Tuesday. Smith, 25, was pulled over Feb. 8 for driving his Mercedes Benz the wrong way on a one-way street in San Diego, his hometown. "We're going to trial because he's innocent," Smith's attorney, Myles Berman, said outside court Tuesday. Opening arguments were expected to begin later in the day. Smith, the third overall pick in the 1999 draft, lost his starting job to Scott Mitchell after the 10th game last season, when the Bengals finished 4-12 for a second straight year.
Jags agree to one-year deal with C SmithJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have reached an agreement to a one-year deal with center Jeff Smith worth about $700,000. Smith started the final 12 games of the 2000 season for the Jaguars, who picked him up after his release from the Kansas City Chiefs. The re-signing of the sixth-year veteran gives the Jaguars a little more flexibility for the NFL Draft. Without Smith, they only had four experienced offensive linemen. They are still thought to be interested in Michigan guard Steve Hutchinson.
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