Jets can’t forgive, cut Brien
The New York Jets released veteran kicker Doug Brien Thursday, five days after they picked Ohio State All-American Mike Nugent in the second round of the NFL draft.
Brien missed field goals from 47 and 43 yards in the final 2 minutes of regulation of a 20-17 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the playoffs, sealing his fate with the team.
Minnesota coach Mike Tice, who earlier indicated the Vikings might be interesting in bringing back Brien, said the team had no immediate plans to sign him or anyone else. He said the Vikings would continue to monitor the situation this summer.
The Jets used their first pick of the draft, No. 47 overall, on Nugent, becoming the third-highest kicker to be selected since 1982.
Nugent converted 87.8 percent (65 of 74) of his field-goal attempts with the Buckeyes, and has a much more powerful leg than Brien.
Brien, a veteran of 152 games, served as the Jets’ kicker the past two seasons. He also has played for San Francisco, New Orleans, Indianapolis and Tampa Bay.
Sauerbrun will miss minicamp
Todd Sauerbrun, who is reportedly cooperating with investigators in a steroids probe, will not attend Carolina’s minicamp this weekend because the Panthers want to evaluate other punters.
“We know what Todd can do and we want to look at the guys we have here,” general manger Marty Hurney said, referring to off-season signees Steve Cheek and Tom Rouen.
Hurney said the decision is not related to the CBS report that identifies Sauerbrun as one of three Panthers who obtained illegal steroid prescriptions from South Carolina alternative medicine doctor James Shortt.
Chiefs will give White a look
Jason White, who won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma but was snubbed in the NFL draft, is being given a chance by the Kansas City Chiefs.
White and other undrafted rookies will join the drafted players in a minicamp this weekend. White, who has not signed a contract, will be given a chance to show what he can do.
White threw for 8,012 yards and 81 touchdowns at Oklahoma, winning the 2003 Heisman and taking the Sooners to consecutive national championship games in 2003 and ‘04.
Basketball player to try NFL
Chevon Troutman, who just finished a stellar career as a power forward on the University of Pittsburgh basketball team, will be at the Washington Redskins’ minicamp this week in hopes of becoming an NFL tight end.
Troutman, 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, has said he would prefer to play in the NBA and still hopes to be invited to the league’s pre-draft camp in Chicago in June.
On Tuesday, the Denver Broncos signed Wesley Duke, a four-year basketball starter at Mercer.
Around the league
Former Washington State offensive lineman Sam Lightbody signed a free-agent contract with the Houston Texans. … Linebacker Keith Newman re-signed with the Minnesota Vikings. The seven-year veteran started 14 games for Minnesota last season, totaling 71 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks. … Fullback Richie Anderson was released by the Dallas Cowboys. He ended last season on injured reserve with a pinched nerve in his neck and had neck surgery last week that will require a recovery of at least five months. The 33-year-old has played 13 NFL seasons. … The NFL Network is expanding its coverage to Mexico. The all-football channel agreed to a multiyear deal with Sky Mexico, the country’s largest pay-TV service, and will begin broadcasting Sunday. … Green Bay Packers running back Ahman Green filed for divorce Thursday, only days after being arrested following a 911 hang-up call about a disturbance at his home. Green was arrested Monday night when deputies responded to the call from his home. Green, cited for disorderly conduct, posted $150 bond and was released.