Steelers give Gildon green light to seek trade
Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have given linebacker Jason Gildon permission to talk to other teams to facilitate a trade, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports.
Gildon, 31, is the perfect pass-rushing linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He had 77 sacks during his 10-year Steelers career, 60 in the past six years. He went to three Pro Bowls from 2000 to 2002.
He became expendable when the Steelers re-signed Clark Haggans to a four-year, $10.2 million contract during the first week of free agency. Haggans will take over for Gildon. For the moment, the Steelers are asking a second-round choice for Gildon.
Gildon came to the team in 1994 in the third round and took two years to develop into a starter. He's played in four AFC title games and was designated the team's franchise player in 2002.
With a couple of teams switching over to the 3-4 defense, Gildon should draw some interest. He has three years remaining on his five-year, $23 million contract and is scheduled to make $3.65 million this season. He may be asked to restructure his contract to help in a trade.
Miami Dolphins: Offensive tackle Damien McIntosh and the
Dolphins announced a six-year, $21 million contract Tuesday.
The Dolphins announced the deal last week, but then canceled a news conference about the signing after doctors did not give final approval. McIntosh, who played for San Diego for his first four seasons, has had injuries to both ankles and missed three starts last season and six in 2002.
The 6-foot-4, 325 pound McIntosh is the third offensive lineman signed by the Dolphins this offseason. Guard Jeno James and tackle John St. Clair have also signed this month.
The Dolphins also signed wide receiver and kick returner Terrence Wilkins, who played for Indianapolis last season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Five-time Pro Bowl safety John Lynch was released.
The veteran of 11 seasons was told last week he did not fit into Tampa Bay's plans next season. He has drawn interest from several teams, and the Bucs indicated they would explore a trade once Lynch decided where he wanted to continue his career.
Releasing Lynch freed more than $4 million under the NFL salary cap. The 32-year-old safety was scheduled to earn $4.1 million in 2004 and $5 million in 2005.
Lynch, 32, visited Denver on Tuesday and is expected to talk with the Patriots, Jets and Colts.
Last week, new Bucs general manager Bruce Allen turned down Lynch's request to restructure a contract that would have paid him $4.1 million in 2004 and $5 million in 2005. Lynch said the Bucs never made him an offer and that Allen made it clear "it wasn't an option to be back in Tampa."
Allen paid tribute to Lynch at the time, while making it clear the strong safety wouldn't be back.
"Everyone respects who he is and what he's brought to the game of football. But at this time we're going to move forward," Allen said. "We decided the best way to move forward is allow him to talk to other teams and find a home that would be best for him and his family."
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars signed free-
agent kicker Jeff Chandler on Tuesday and re-signed defensive
tackle Matt Leonard.
A Jacksonville native, Chandler was waived by the San Francisco 49ers last Sept. 16. He made eight of 12 field goals as a rookie and six of seven last season.
Leonard, a 6-3, 301-pound defensive tackle, played in four games with the Jaguars last season. The 24-year-old also spent four weeks on the practice squad.
Tennessee Titans: Titans quarterback Jason Gesser
pleaded not guilty to a drunken driving charge.
Gesser was not present in Honolulu District Court on Monday, and his attorney, Patrick McPherson, entered the plea on his behalf.
Gesser, 24, was arrested in Honolulu on Feb. 15 after he allegedly ran a red light and failed a sobriety test. He was released after posting $500 bail.
A native of Honolulu, Gesser was a three-year starter at Washington State. He threw for 8,830 yards with 70 touchdowns and 39 interceptions with the Cougars, and shared the Pac-10's offensive player of the year award with Southern California's Carson Palmer.
He was signed by the Titans as a rookie free agent last year.
Information from ESPN.com's John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.
