O’Donnell Decision Expected

Neil O’Donnell, who quarterbacked the Pittsburgh Steelers in their Super Bowl loss to Dallas, appeared near a decision on whether to stay with Pittsburgh or jump to the New York Jets.

O’Donnell received what both teams said were their final offers on Tuesday. His agent, Leigh Steinberg, said he had decided “to sleep on it” and would probably announce his decision today.

Salary cap grows

What the NFL likes to call its “partnership” with its players union is a little shaky again, thanks to a court ruling that increases the salary cap for 1996 by almost $2 million.

The decision was handed down Monday in Minneapolis by U.S. District Court Judge David Doty.

Doty’s ruling raises next season’s cap from $38.773 million to $40.753 million. The lower figure, up from $37.1 million last year, had been set by independent auditors for the league and the NFL Players Association, but appealed by the union to Doty.

Now the league is appealing, suggesting that Doty adhered to the letter of the labor contract, not the spirit.

Around the league

Marvin Lewis, who had been Pittsburgh’s linebackers coach the past four years, was named defensive coordinator for Baltimore’s new NFL franchise; Kirk Ferentz, who has coached the Cleveland Browns offensive line for the past three years, was named Baltimore’s assistant head coach-offense; and Don Strock, a 17-year veteran who has spent the past three years coaching in minor leagues, was named Baltimore’s quarterback coach.

Buffalo Bills cornerback Thomas Smith, a restricted free agent, signed a four-year contract with the team worth $6.8 million.

Center Tony Mayberry resigned with Tampa Bay for four years, becoming the second of the team’s 11 unrestricted free agents to reach agreements to remain with the Buccaneers.

Marco Coleman left San Diego without signing an offer sheet from the Chargers, who nonetheless are still pursuing the Miami Dolphins defensive end.

The Chargers filled one of their defensive needs by signing 10-year veteran middle linebacker Kurt Gouveia, an unrestricted free agent from the Philadelphia Eagles, to a three-year deal.

The Green Bay Packers met with Buffalo linebacker Cornelius Bennett and plan to make an offer.

Packers quarterback Brett Favre had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur and bone chips from his left ankle. Head trainer Pepper Burruss said Favre will start rehabilitation immediately and should be able to participate in the team’s spring mini-camps.

The Eagles could be susceptible to having Miami match their five-year, $16.5 million offer sheet to Troy Vincent if the veteran defensive back verbally agrees to restructure the contract after Miami matches it.