Moss Going Pro; Woodson Will Announce Today
Randy Moss decided Thursday to go pro and, by most accounts, Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson will do the same today.
Underclassmen have until the “end of the business day” today to decide whether to enter the NFL draft.
Moss, Marshall’s stellar wide receiver, finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound redshirt sophomore set a Division I-A record with 25 touchdown catches.
Woodson, the cornerback-receiver-punt returner who led Michigan to a perfect season and national championship, was expected to join the All-American parade into the pros today. He has scheduled an 8 a.m. PST news conference at the school.
Others opting for an early exit from school on Thursday included Clemson All-America linebacker Anthony Simmons, BYU offensive lineman Eric Bateman, North Carolina cornerback Robert Williams and Auburn linebacker Takeo Spikes.
Green gets vote of confidence
Dennis Green’s coaching future might be with the Minnesota Vikings after all.
Vikings president Roger Headrick, in the midst of negotiating to sell the team - or buy it for himself - gave Green a strong vote of confidence Thursday night. Headrick also squelched speculation that Green might be headed for the Oakland Raiders, who have inquired about the coach.
Headrick said a decision on Green’s status in Minnesota would have to wait until after the sale issue is resolved.
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Jon Gruden interviewed for the Raiders’ head coaching job Thursday and is rumored to be the leading candidate.
Hall nominees announced
Anthony Munoz of the Cincinnati Bengals and Mike Singletary of the Chicago Bears - often opponents - are together on the ballot for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Munoz, an offensive tackle from 1980-92, and Singletary, a linebacker from 1981-92, were the only first-time eligibles on the list of 15 finalists. Also on the list are Miami Dolphins center Dwight Stephenson, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins coach George Allen, Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Carl Eller, Redskins and Vikings safety Paul Krause, Rams offensive guard Tom Mack, Cleveland Browns tight end Ozzie Newsome, Pittsburgh administrator Dan Rooney, Steelers wide receiver John Stallworth, Vikings offensive tackle Ron Yary and Rams defensive end Jack Youngblood.
The seniors’ committee candidate is Tommy McDonald, a wide receiver who played most of his 12-year career with the Philadelphia Eagles, starting in 1957.
Around the league
George Young stepped down after 19 seasons as the New York Giants general manager to become an NFL senior executive. Young, 67, will move into a newly created post, the NFL’s senior vice president of football operations. … Three Denver Broncos offensive linemen were fined $5,000 for violating league policy by having a slippery substance on their arms in Sunday’s playoff game at Kansas City. Fined were tackle Gary Zimmerman and guards Brian Habib and Mark Schlereth… . San Francisco running back Garrison Hearst, sidelined since Nov. 30 with a broken collarbone, expects to receive medical clearance to play in Sunday’s NFC title game… . A South Carolina grand jury has decided no criminal charges should be filed against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Wayne Simmons, who was accused of sexual assault by an 18-year-old woman last spring.