METAIRIE, La. -- Sean Payton said he was caught a little by surprise when veteran linebacker Dan Morgan retired for a second time since signing with the Saints in 2008, but added the team has no immediate plans to seek an additional linebacker.
"Barring something unforeseen arising, I don't think so," Payton said.
Morgan's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, announced Morgan's retirement on his website Monday and said this time the former pro bowl player's decision is final.
Payton said Tuesday after a voluntary offseason practice that he has yet to speak with Morgan.
"I've just played some phone tag with him and that has been about it," the coach said.
Morgan, a first-round draft choice by Carolina in 2001, spent seven seasons with the Panthers, during which he was sidelined off and on by multiple concussions. Shortly after signing with the Saints as a free agent, he retired and missed all of last season.
He decided to come back this winter, but went out with a calf strain during minicamp last weekend. Payton said Morgan appeared committed to his comeback throughout the winter and spring, but that something seemed to change after the veteran pulled up lame in minicamp. Full story
Steelers get Super Bowl rings in private ceremony
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten their Super Bowl rings, four months after beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23 for the franchise's record sixth championship.
The rings were presented at a private ceremony at Heinz Field. The ring's design was kept confidential until then.
Each player got a ring with his name and number on it. On Monday, coach Mike Tomlin said he was excited about getting his ring, but that it will mark the end of the 2008 season. Now, he says, it's time to focus on 2009.
Supplemental prospect Jarmon to work out for Eagles
PHILADELPHIA -- Former Kentucky defensive end Jeremy Jarmon is expected to work out for the Eagles in hopes of being selected in the NFL supplemental draft. Jarmon acknowledged in May he had been declared ineligible for his senior season by the NCAA because he tested positive for a banned substance. He said the result came from a dietary supplement, but has not publicly disclosed the substance.
The NCAA penalty for testing positive is the loss of one year of eligibility, effectively ending Jarmon's college career. He was expected to arrive in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening to work out on Wednesday.
Jarmon has graduated from Kentucky with a political science degree. He'll also hold a pro day workout on July 9, one week before the supplemental draft on July 16. Any team that makes a pick in the supplemental draft will forfeit a corresponding pick in the 2010 draft. If the Eagles were to use a fourth-round pick on Jarmon, for example, they would forfeit their fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft.
Titans make Round 7 safety first pick signed
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans have agreed to a deal with safety Nick Schommer, the first of the team's 2009 draft picks to come to terms.
The team announced that Schommer had agreed to a multiyear contract. No other details were released.
Tennessee selected Schommer with its seventh-round selection out of North Dakota State University. The team chose 11 players this year.
The 6-foot, 201-pounder had 186 tackles, one sack, 13 interceptions and one forced fumble in 41 games in college.
His interceptions tied for third on the school's career list.
Henry to stay in jail until sentencing for drug trafficking
BILLINGS, Mont. -- The U.S. Attorney's office says former NFL player Travis Henry will remain in jail pending his July 15 sentencing on drug trafficking charges.
Henry, 30, had been free on $400,000 bail until he was arrested in Florida last month after testing positive for alcohol use, violating the terms of his release. On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull in Billings ordered the defendant to be detained pending sentencing.
Henry pleaded guilty in April to conspiracy to possess at least 11 pounds of cocaine with intent to distribute. He was cut by the Denver Broncos in June 2008 after playing one season of a four-year, $22.5 million contract.
Goodell, Mora to climb Mount Rainier for charity
SEATTLE -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Seahawks coach Jim Mora are ready for a big trek -- up Mount Rainier.
Mountaineering great Ed Viesturs will lead the climb up the more than 14,000-foot peak July 5. The group hopes to plant a flag at the summit three days later. The climb is to benefit the United Way of King County, Wash.
Also to make the climb are Seahawks chief executive officer Tod Leiweke and United Way CEO Jon Fine.
Mora grew up in the Seattle area and is in first season replacing Mike Holmgren as Seahawks coach.
