Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 21, 1993 TAG: 9309210136
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Green, the tackle-sized tight end who was the centerpiece of the Steelers' offense just two years, caught four passes in a 34-7 victory Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals - or three more receptions than he'd made all season.
It's that lack of consistency, plus his $475,000 salary, that apparently has the Steelers shopping the 285-pounder, who was considered the prototype NFL tight end of the 1990s just two years ago.
The former Liberty University standout is eligible for free agency after this season and the Steelers still haven't made a contract offer to his agent, Ralph Cindrich. And they apparently won't, unless there's a drastic change in circumstances over the next six months.
"I know I'll get a contract in the NFL," Green said. "I just don't know if it will be in Pittsburgh or somewhere else."
Green, a 1990 first-rounder, isn't the only former Steelers top-round draft choice who reportedly is on the trading block. The Steelers also will part with running back Tim Worley, the 1989 first-rounder who would make $550,000 next season.
The Steelers' problem with keeping Green and Worley isn't just the money they make, but the future millions they've promised Neil O'Donnell, Kevin Green, Greg Lloyd, Rod Woodson and Barry Foster.
The NFL's lowest-paying team from 1989-92, the Steelers have signed those five players to contracts worth more than $40 million. Only last week, Woodson got a $13 million contract and Foster signed a contract extension worth $10 million.
By locking so many key players into large contracts, the Steelers are already tip-toeing precariously close to their anticipated 1994 NFL salary cap of $32 million. They have eight starters and 16 veterans unsigned for 1994. \ ELVIS WANTS A TEAM: The company that manages the estate of the late singer Elvis Presley has joined the ownership group trying to bring a NFL expansion franchise to Memphis.
How much Elvis Presley Enterprises will invest in the ownership if Memphis is awarded a franchise was not revealed Monday at a news conference at Graceland, the singer's former home turned tourist spot.
"We and all the other owners have agreed to keep the specifics confidential," said Jack Soden, chief executive of Elvis Presley Enterprises. "I would characterize our involvement as significant."
The group is scheduled to present its offer to a NFL expansion committee Wednesday in Chicago.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.