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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Flutie released, will look for new team


San Diego Chargers released 42-year-old backup quarterback Doug Flutie. 
 (File/Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

Doug Flutie was released by San Diego, which would have had to pay him a roster bonus of $350,000 on Tuesday.

Flutie had two years left on his contract, but he was effectively fourth on the Chargers’ depth chart, behind Drew Brees, Philip Rivers and second-year man Cleo Lemon, who the team likes as a developmental quarterback.

Flutie, who at 5-foot-10 always had to battle questions about his size, played for Chicago, New England, Buffalo and San Diego in the NFL. He also had an eight-year stint in the CFL and signed with the now defunct USFL after winning the Heisman Trophy.

His last start came in the Chargers’ regular-season finale on Jan. 2 against Kansas City, when Brees was rested for the playoffs. He scrambled around, as he often did, and threw one touchdown pass.

But Flutie, 42, could be back.

“I think Doug definitely wants to try and play at least for another year,” his agent, Kristen Kuliga, said from Boston. “I’ll be looking at what opportunities might be out there, with a team that wants a quality backup quarterback.”

Jets sign Fiedler as backup QB

Former Miami starter Jay Fiedler signed with the New York Jets to back up quarterback Chad Pennington.

Fiedler’s experience gives the Jets insurance in case Pennington is slow to recover from off-season surgery on his rotator cuff.

The Jets also signed former Philadelphia and Cleveland linebacker Barry Gardner.

Rivera undergoes surgery

Dallas suffered a setback when newly signed guard Marco Rivera underwent back surgery.

Rivera had the procedure done just a few days after feeling pain while jogging on a treadmill.

Rivera, who turns 33 next month, hasn’t missed a game the past six seasons. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Rivera’s durability was among the reasons he gave the veteran a $20 million, five-year contract.

He’ll be the starting right guard, anchoring the side where Dallas struggled most of last season.

Chiefs strengthen secondary

The Kansas City Chiefs took another step to shore up their leaky defense by signing safety Sammy Knight to a five-year deal.

Knight was a Pro Bowl selection in 2001 with the New Orleans Saints and a starter for the Dolphins the last two seasons.

The Chiefs also signed linebacker Kendrell Bell to a seven-year contract Tuesday.

Bengals release Weathersby

Cincinnati released cornerback Dennis Weathersby, whose career has been sidetracked by a car accident and drive-by shooting.

Weathersby missed last season with a head injury sustained in a car accident in April 2004. Since then, he has been unable to pass the physical needed to return, and the Bengals announced their decision to cut him Friday.

Around the league

Mike McMahon, Joey Harrington‘s backup in Detroit, signed with Philadelphia, where he will compete with Koy Detmer for the job of backup to Donovan McNabb. … The Baltimore Ravens signed former Steelers lineman Keydrick Vincent to fill its vacancy at right guard. … The New York Giants signed another former Steeler, defensive lineman Kendrick Clancy.