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Roundup: QB Miller re-signs with Bears
Journeyman quarterback Jim Miller, whose 1999 season was marked by a brilliant three-game stretch on the field and a four-week suspension for violation of the NFL's steroid abuse policy, has re-signed with the Chicago Bears, SportsLine has confirmed.
In five seasons, the former Michigan State star has been in four different NFL camps and he actually began the '96 campaign as the Pittsburgh Steelers starter. But Miller lost his job to Mike Tomczak after only one game, was cut in training camp the next year, bounced around, and didn't earn another regular-season start until 1999. Playing in the "spread" offense of Bears first-year coordinator Gary Crowton in '99, Miller blossomed. He completed 110 of 174 passes for 1,242 yards, with seven touchdowns and six interceptions. That included a three-game span, one in relief and two starts, in which he threw for 900 yards. Before the '99 season, he had attempted just 81 regular-season passes. Miller was suspended four games when he tested positive for trace amount of a steroid. The NFL all but conceded that the positive test was the result of an over-the-counter medication Miller had taken, but the suspension still was upheld. -- Len Pasquarelli Fortin re-signs with ChargersSportsLine has learned the San Diego Chargers will re-sign center Roman Fortin, the club's starter the past two seasons. Fortin, 31 and a player that general manager Bobby Beathard and coach Mike Riley did not want to lose as an unrestricted free agent, will sign a two-year contract, sources confirmed. Financial details of the contract were not immediately available. A nine-year veteran, Fortin started all 32 games in San Diego in 1998-99 and helped to anchor a much-improved unit under offensive line coach Joe Bugel. "I love the guy," Bugel said. "He's a smart, tough, guy and he means a lot to us." Fortin began his career in Detroit as an eighth-round pick in 1990. He spent his entire rookie year on injured reserve and then, after the '91 season, signed with Atlanta as a "Plan B" free agent. He was the Falcons' starting center 1994-96 but when was released late in 1997 after being injured much of that year. He signed with the Chargers in '98. -- Len Pasquarelli Jets' Elliott takes Jumbo pay cutHEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Jumbo Elliott, the New York Jets' left tackle, has had his salary slashed by $2 million to save the team salary cap room. The 34-year-old Elliott, who is expected to retire because of continuing back problems, agreed to have his pay cut from $2.5 million to $500,000 for cap purposes. Once Elliott is retired or released, the additional money will be cleared from the cap.
Niners re-sign BryantSANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers re-signed versatile defensive lineman Junior Bryant Thurday. Bryant, who became an unrestricted free agent following the season, opted to remain with the team that signed him out of Notre Dame in 1995 after he went undrafted. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Bryant, who can play either defensive tackle or end, became a full-time starter in 1998, when he teamed with Bryant Young to form one of the top interior tandems in the league. Last season, Bryant made several starts at defensive end because of injury. He finished with 55 tackles and 4½ sacks. He forced three fumbles and returned one for a touchdown last season. The 49ers had said one of their top priorities was to retain Bryant's services. Redskins sign safety Mark CarrierFor the second time in six days, the Washington Redskins have added a longtime veteran to their defense, SportsLine learning Thursday that the team has reached a contract agreement with free-agent safety Mark Carrier. The agreement, confirmed by agent Gary Wichard and personnel director Vinny Cerrato, comes just four days after the NFC East champions added defensive end Bruce Smith to their lineup. Carrier, 31, will sign a five-year contract worth about $15 million and it includes a signing bonus of $3 million. Carrier is expected to immediately be penciled in as the starter at free safety. A three-time Pro Bowl performer, Carrier immediately provides stability and veteran guile to the interior of a Washington secondary that sorely needs both. Last year's starter at the free safety spot, Leomont Evans, started 15 games and had no interceptions. More...
After losing safety, Lions sign Schulz as replacementOn the same day the Detroit Lions lost their 1999 starter at free safety, they quickly found a replacement. SportsLine confirmed on Thursday night that Detroit has reached agreement with unrestricted free agent Kurt Schulz, who played the first eight years of his career with Buffalo. The contract accord came less than 12 hours after Mark Carrier, the Lions' starter the last three seasons, agreed to a five-year contract with the Washington Redskins. Schulz, 31, will sign a five-year contract worth $10 million, with a $2 million signing bonus and a first-year base salary of $600,000. The switch for the Lions is indicative of the kind of domino effect free agency has, with teams scrambling to replace departing veterans. -- Len Pasquarelli
Dolphins sign Rams C Tucker to an offer sheetMIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins signed St. Louis Rams center Ryan Tucker to an offer sheet Thursday for a three-year contract. More... The Associated Press contributed to this report. |