Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cunningham Returns, Signs One-Year Deal With Minnesota

Compiled From Wire Services

Backup quarterback Randall Cunningham signed a one-year contract Friday with the Minnesota Vikings.

Details weren’t released.

Cunningham, 34, retired from the Philadelphia Eagles last summer after 11 years in the NFL. He has not played since Philadelphia’s playoff loss at Dallas on Jan. 7, 1996.

Vikings coach Dennis Green had said Cunningham was the first backup quarterback Minnesota was interested in this off-season.

The Vikings also signed kicker Greg Davis, who spent the past six seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, and resigned tight end Greg DeLong. Davis, who has also played for the New England Patriots, has made 183 of 265 career field goals.

DeLong, 24, started eight games for the Vikings last season and caught eight passes for 34 yards.

The New Orleans Saints continue to play hardball with the Washington Redskins in trade discussions regarding quarterback Heath Shuler. Their latest offer of a fifth-round pick in 1997 and another in 1998 was rejected by Redskins general manager Charley Casserly.

Shuler is almost certain to be traded to the Saints before next weekend’s draft concludes, but the two sides continue to haggle over the price. The Redskins want a third-round pick for Shuler, but the Saints have offered one fourth-rounder or two fifth-rounders. It seems likely, though, that a compromise will be struck.

Describing himself as “hurt” and “crushed,” defensive end Neil Smith confirmed he no longer will play for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, the popular Smith was allowed to become a free agent after a mediocre season in 1996. After visiting with several other teams, including Denver and Oakland, Smith said he met with Kansas City coach Marty Schottenheimer this week and was told the Chiefs could not fit him under their salary cap.

Tyrone Wheatley had arthroscopic surgery on an ankle. He will miss two minicamps in May, but the New York Giants said he would be ready for camp in July.

The Chicago Bears and free agent defensive back-return specialist Tyrone Hughes agreed to a three-year, $2.6 million contract, giving the team a returner who went to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

Chicago also signed veteran offensive tackle Andy Heck to a three-year contract extension through 2000.