Pennington, Jets reducing cap number

The Jets and agents for Chad Pennington have begun discussions aimed at dramatically reducing the injured quarterback’s salary-cap figure for 2006, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed Monday.

Such talks have been expected since October when Pennington, 29, had his second operation in eight months on his right rotator cuff. The seven-year, $64-million deal Pennington signed in September 2004 called for a base salary of $6 million this season.

In addition, Pennington is scheduled to receive a $3 million roster bonus on the first day of the league year in early March. Those figures, plus $3 million of prorated signing bonus money, add up to a $12 million cap figure for 2006.

Even before Pennington’s injuries, the Jets had provisions built into his contract to make it more cap-friendly this season.

Shortt will plead guilty

A doctor accused of writing illegal steroid prescriptions to football players has agreed to plead guilty to one federal conspiracy charge as part of a plea agreement.

Alternative medicine physician James Shortt, 59, will plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. In exchange, prosecutors will drop 42 similar counts against the West Columbia (S.C.) doctor, who faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Around the league

The 2006 NFL season most likely will start in Pittsburgh on Sept. 7, keeping with a recent trend of beginning the schedule with the current Super Bowl champion. The NFL also is considering an ESPN doubleheader for the Monday night opener Sept. 11. … A Seattle judge granted a defense request for a 45-day continuance for Seahawks lineman Sean Locklear, accused in an assault on his girlfriend. … The Cardinals have re-signed veteran cornerback Robert Tate.