March 6, 2001 SportsLine.com wire reports

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings broke off talks with center Matt Birk on a long-term contract extension.

He was expected instead to sign a one-year offer Tuesday worth about $1.15 million.

"Obviously, this is where I want to be," said Birk, who made $358,000 last year. "That's no secret. I'm optimistic that we can do a long-term deal, but at least I know where I'm going to be next year."

Joseph Linta, Birk's agent, said no formal talks are scheduled.

Birk will be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2002, and the team hoped to sign him to a five- or six-year contract. Linta is believed to be seeking a contract approaching an annual average of $4 million.

In his first year as a starter last season, Birk went to the Pro Bowl to back up Jeff Christy. Birk replaced him after Christy became the league's highest-paid center when he joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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