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Setting priorities Re-signing Moss, Smith will be Vikings' focus
In terms of re-signing key players, no one faces as big a task this coming offseason as Minnesota. Within the Vikings organization it is already understood: All available resources will be channeled toward reaching what could be a record-setting contract extension with Pro Bowl receiver Randy Moss, and retaining potential free-agent running back Robert Smith. The fiscal reality in Minnesota is that the team is almost certain to have to let almost all of its other free agents walk. That means outside linebacker Dwayne Rudd, who is one of the team's brightest defensive stars, as well as defensive tackle Tony Williams and third receiver Matthew Hatchette. According to team sources, head coach Dennis Green already has signaled within the organization that his priorities are Moss and Smith, with every one else rating a distant third. Many high-paid Vikings veterans also will have to accept cost-cutting salary restructures if the team is to keep its nucleus together. Look for Minnesota to take yet another run at getting Pro Bowl defensive tackle John Randle to accept a contract restructuring -- a move that he pointedly balked at last year, forcing the Vikings to release quarterback Randall Cunningham. Left offensive tackle Todd Steussie, another Pro Bowl starter of recent vintage, could also be on the bubble if he does not agree to significantly reduce his cap liability. What will Moss and Smith cost? That's a long way from being determined, but here's an early rough estimate: Moss, who still has a year remaining on his bargain-basement four-year, $4.4 million deal of 1998, is seeking to become the game's highest-paid player in 2001. Keyshawn Johnson's seven-year, $56 million contract, which included a $13 million signing bonus, is the current measuring stick for NFL receivers. Moss will blow past that like he does most cornerbacks. If it's stretched over seven or more years, Moss' total package could approach the $100 million barrier, with a signing bonus in the range of $17 million to $20 million. The first three years of the deal, which are the important ones in almost any player's case, Moss is seeking to haul in a package in the range of $25 million to $30 million, or between $8 million-$10 million per year. As for Smith, he signed a five-year, $25 million deal in 1998 that included the possibility of the contract's last two years voiding. They have, and he will definitely test the market before re-signing with the Vikings. But Smith is having a career year and wants to stay in Minnesota if the financial side of the equation is anywhere close to level. Green has decided he must retain Smith and has already spoken of his star running back as if he will definitely remain beyond 2000. The Vikings would like to see Smith fall in the range of less than $6 million per season, although market forces could push that number higher. Tennessee running back Eddie George is the current pacesetter at the position, with a six-year, $42 million package signed in July.
Denver wary of all those without winsWith starting quarterback Brian Griese out for at least four to six weeks with a separated shoulder, the Denver Broncos (6-4) can't afford to take anyone lightly as they head down the season's backstretch. But they might want to take particular caution this week against winless San Diego. Fear the 0-10, quarterback-depleted Chargers, who will be on the road at intimidating Mile High Stadium? Here's why: Denver has already provided three teams with their first victory this season. The Broncos lost to St. Louis in the season opener, fell to 0-4 New England at Mile High, and allowed 0-6 Cincinnati to pull the upset at Paul Brown Stadium. In addition, the only other two teams to start a season 0-10 since 1990 were the 1993 Bengals and the 1997 Colts. Both won their 11th game of the season; Cincinnati at home against the Los Angeles Raiders and Indianapolis at home against defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay. And there's more. San Diego's most recent victory came on Jan. 2, 2000, against none other than Denver at Mile High Stadium, in the 1999 regular-season finale. The Chargers won 12-6, finishing 8-8 in head coach Mike Riley's first season.
With one more loss, San Diego would tie the franchise's worst-ever start at 0-11, in 1975. No team has gone 0-16 since the league switched to the 16-game schedule in 1978. The 1976 expansion Tampa Bay Bucs hold the modern-day record for futility at 0-14.
Barry, we hardly miss yeNow that former Detroit running back Barry Sanders has entered the world of cyberspace, one compelling question pops to mind: Why should we care? Sanders has asked us to respect his privacy and his surprise decision to retire from the NFL just before the start of 1999's training camp. And he doesn't owe anyone another explanation of his reasoning. I was not one who felt that Sanders was obligated to make a run at Walter Payton's career rushing record. His choice whether to continue his football career was his and his alone to make. His rationale in some ways was commendable. That said, Sanders didn't endear himself to anyone with the way he and his agent handled his retirement announcement and the resulting will-he or won't-he return speculation. Simply put, he left his Lions teammates, coaches and the organization in a last-minute lurch, and seemed not to care. This week Sanders came across as condescending in his dot.com comments regarding his retirement, even while leaving just enough wiggle room for many to see an opening for his return to the game. For a guy who was rarely pinned down on the field, Sanders is still doing a pretty good job of staying elusive these days.
A most valuable player named GoldThe nickname of the week, of course, goes to Denver rookie linebacker Ian Gold, who has been dubbed "Crash Test Dummy" by his teammates. "It's because he runs into folks without any thought or regard for caution," said Broncos running back Raymont Harris. Gold stepped into the national spotlight Monday night at Mile High Stadium, collecting two sacks, forcing a fumble and blocking a punt for a touchdown in the Broncos' dramatic 27-24 defeat of Oakland. How unsung is Gold? He doesn't even have his own locker in the Broncos locker room. He shares one with rookie receiver Scottie Montgomery. For the record, Montgomery's name is listed second. "I hope so," joked Gold, when asked if he expected his big game to translate into his own locker. "Nah, I don't mind. I like Scottie." Gold played at the University of Michigan with current Denver quarterback, Brian Griese. He said he owed the Raiders a little payback after missing a block in their Week 3 meeting, which allowed Oakland to stuff a Denver punt and return it for a touchdown. "I really wanted to do that against them," Gold said. "It was my responsibility. I blew it. A rookie mistake." Gold received a game ball for his prime-time breakout performance, which he said he will deliver to his mother in Michigan. "She deserves it," said Gold, whose older brother, Jason, was in the stands Monday night. "She sacrificed a lot for me, so I'm going to give her that ball and show her just a little appreciation. I didn't promise her one or anything, but I had a feeling I would come through for her in this game." Don Banks covers pro football for CNNSI.com.
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