Novacek, Haley Bid Farewell
Charles Haley and Jay Novacek, two of the Dallas Cowboys’ biggest stars and both victims of bad backs, are expected to retire today in an unusual joint news conference at Texas Stadium.
Haley, an 11-year veteran defensive end who has an NFL-record five Super Bowl rings, said several weeks ago he wasn’t going to play any more. He led his team in sacks eight of the seasons he played for San Francisco and Dallas.
Haley finished with 398 career sacks, including 48 in the postseason.
Tight end Novacek didn’t play last year and his back gave him problems again in a recent mini-camp. The 12-year veteran caught 422 passes for 4,630 yards and 30 touchdowns in his career.
Prosecutors said they will not file assault charges against Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin over an incident at a San Francisco nightclub last month.
“The DA’s office has reviewed all the evidence presented to us by the police department and we are declining prosecution,” said San Francisco Assistant District Attorney Chuck Haines.
He said the case came down to Irvin’s word against the complainant, Aaron Waller, 31, who told police the All-Pro receiver punched him and held him captive in a club basement after a dispute over a cellular phone.
The Cowboys waived tight end Kendell Watkins, the team’s second pick in the ‘95 draft.
Cardinals sign Plummer
Quarterback Jake Plummer agreed to a three-year, $1.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals.
Plummer will get a $700,000 bonus, plus $241,000 in salary this year, $302,000 next, and $326,000 in 1999.
Collins No. 1, for now
Todd Collins knows the comparisons with the retired Jim Kelly are inevitable. As long as he’s starting, he doesn’t care.
Collins enters his third season with the Buffalo Bills and, for the first time, finds himself penciled in by coach Marv Levy as the No. 1 quarterback in training camp. Nobody knows how long he’ll be there.
If Collins is going to start, it would mean beating out Billy Joe Hobert and Alex Van Pelt.
Training camp news
The Chicago Bears signed University of Southern California tight end John Allred, their second-round pick in the 1997 draft, to a three-year contract.
The team also signed running back Darnell Autry, their fourth-round pick, to a three-year contract.
Carolina center Curtis Whitley, suspended for four games last season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, was released by the Panthers.
The Atlanta Falcons signed running back Byron Hanspard and defensive tackle Nathan Davis, their two second-round selections in this year’s draft.
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kirby Dar Dar will undergo right-knee surgery next week. Dar Dar, 25, sustained ligament damage in his knee during an intrasquad scrimmage.