Dispatches

Make no mistake about it: Redskins starting quarterback Brad Johnson feels the hot breath of pricey free-agent backup Jeff George on his neck. George was imported by Washington owner Daniel Snyder because of concerns about Johnson's durability: Though he didn't miss a start last season, he missed 15 games total in 1997 and '98 because of injuries. "Brad went through a period recently that was really hard on him," Washington coach Norv Turner says of Johnson's reaction to the George signing. "But I told him, 'You do your job, and he'll never get on the field.' "...

Of the Redskins' signing thirty-something veterans Bruce Smith ($25 million over five years) and Deion Sanders (a reported $55 million over seven years), who joined the club on Monday, one AFC coach says, "There's a reason why the Redskins didn't have much competition to sign Bruce and Deion. Those guys don't have much left in their tanks. Daniel Snyder's going to look at his cap in two or three years and say, 'What have I done?' "...

The Eagles, league leaders in available cap money ($7.59 million) on June 1, want to add an offensive and a defensive lineman. Look for disappointing 49ers defensive end Gabe Wilkins to land in Philadelphia....

The buzz from Dick Vermeil's friends in St. Louis is that he may try to get back into coaching in 2001....

Buccaneers rookie Chris Daniel smacked into fellow wideout Keyshawn Johnson while the two were running a route during a minicamp last week; Johnson was forced to the sideline with back spasms. Asked what it felt like to level Johnson, Daniel said, "It felt like hitting a lot of money."