Pro Football
Jets Want Pennington to Take a Pay Cut Next Season
Wednesday, February 15, 2006; Page E02
The New York Jets are seeking to have quarterback Chad Pennington take a sizable pay cut next season, perhaps lowering his 2006 income from salary and bonuses from $9 million to as little as $1 million, an NFL source said yesterday.
The Jets would give Pennington, who is coming off his second shoulder surgery for a torn rotator cuff, the chance to earn back much of that money through incentives, said the source, who spoke on the condition that he not be named because negotiations are ongoing. It is possible that the Jets, who are facing a salary cap crunch, could release Pennington if he refuses to accept their proposal or a modified version of it. . . .
  The Indianapolis Colts overcome the rain and a sloppy start to beat the Chicago Bears, 29-17. The Colts' victory ignites a wild celebration among the white-and-blue attired fans in the sea of colorful vinyl rainwear that populated the soggy stands. Peyton Manning fills the final hole in his legend as the greatest quarterback never to win the biggest game. Leonard Shapiro: Tony Dungy and Manning seal their place in history by winning the Super Bowl. Manning adds a Super Bowl MVP award to his long list of achievements. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes plow forward for the Colts go-ahead touchdown and never look back. There was a collective failure by the Bears' offense, but Rex Grossman provides the most vivid images. Notebook: Two assistant coaches who participated in the Super Bowl likely will interview for Dallas' head coaching job. On Our Site Wilbon and Kornheiser share their thoughts live during Sunday's big game. Photos: Relive all of the action from the NFL playoffs. Audio: Manning on the Win. Audio: Grossman on the Loss. Audio: Dungy Praises Smith. Quarterly Report (PDF) A Slew of Errors (PDF) Graphic: Play of the Game. MARK MASKE'S NFL INSIDER • Jaguars Tackle in Critical Condition • Lions Bolster Backfield With R. Johnson |
Commissioner Paul Tagliabue visited New Orleans and indicated that he received an encouraging report about the progress of repair work to the Superdome. The hurricane-damaged building is scheduled to reopen Sept. 24 when the Saints face the Atlanta Falcons. Tagliabue spoke to a group of business leaders committed to purchasing tickets, suites and sponsorships.
"The dream of coming back is becoming a reality," Tagliabue said, according to the Associated Press. "A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. . . . There has been real positive support from the leadership in the business community. The Saints can be a magnet for other people and businesses to return to the community and be part of the recovery."
The Saints have returned to their training facility in Metairie, La. They spent this past season in San Antonio after being displaced from New Orleans in August by Hurricane Katrina. . . .
The Falcons have hired Joe Lombardi as a defensive assistant. Lombardi, who comes to the Falcons from Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa., is the grandson of Vince Lombardi . . . .
The Arizona Cardinals signed quarterback Kurt Warner , 34, to a three-year contract.
-- Mark Maske
