Tennessee’s Star Passes On Nfl Cash

Peyton Manning said they showed him the money, but he couldn’t ignore his heart.

The Tennessee quarterback announced Wednesday in Knoxville, Tenn., he will postpone the riches of the NFL for one last season of college football.

The decision elated Volunteer fans and coaches, and drew respect from the NFL, whose lure is often more than undergraduates can resist.

“It was what I wanted to do for a long time,” Manning said. “I wanted to be 100 percent sure, and yesterday morning I woke up 100 percent sure.”

Manning, who was a likely top pick in the April 19 draft, now becomes the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy next season.

Archie Manning, a star quarterback for Mississippi and the New Orleans Saints, helped his son with information on agents and salary caps.

“Twenty-five, $30 million. I’m human. Believe me, I looked at the money,” Peyton Manning said. “I’m hoping the money’s there next year, too, the good Lord willing I stay healthy.”

“But staying was strongest in my heart. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Manning holds Tennessee records for career passing yardage (7,382), touchdowns (53), completions (576), attempts (904), completion percentage (63.7) and numerous single-season marks.

Kreig, Seahawks to talk

The Seattle Seahawks have turned nostalgic in their final push to land an experienced backup quarterback.

Former Seahawk Dave Krieg returns to team headquarters Thursday while the front office awaits word on whether Warren Moon will accept their two-year contract offer. With Boomer Esiason also a consideration in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals, the Seahawks should know as early as Friday who will back up John Friesz next season.

Like Moon, Krieg is eager to return to Seattle, where he still owns a home even though he spends his winters in Phoenix.

Moon stayed in Southern California on Wednesday while negotiations started with the Seahawks and the San Diego Chargers. Each team is talking about two-year contracts for about $1 million this year.

Howard officially a Raider

Desmond Howard, who salvaged a fading career with an electrifying kickoff return in the Super Bowl, parlayed his comeback into a new job - with the Oakland Raiders.

Howard left the Green Bay Packers to sign a four-year, $6 million contract, which includes a $2 million signing bonus.

Owners to vote on instant replay

For the first time since they abandoned instant replay five years ago, NFL owners will vote on reviving the system when they meet next week in Palm Desert, Calif.

The big differences are that the review would be initiated by coaches and the decision would be made by the referee after viewing a monitor on the field.

Jags sign defensive backs

Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Deon Figures signed a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Dana Hall, a former University of Washington player, also signed an an extended contract with the Jags.