Burleson joins Seahawks
A unique fight over restricted free agents between Seattle and Minnesota ended Friday when the Vikings chose not to match the Seahawks’ contract offer to receiver Nate Burleson.
Vikings vice president for football operations Rob Brzezinski confirmed the decision, which allowed Burleson to join his hometown team.
Burleson signed an offer sheet last week for a seven-year contract worth up to $49 million, including $5.25 million guaranteed.
In response to a similar tactic Minnesota used to sign All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson to an offer sheet earlier this month, Seattle put a pair of provisions – “poison pills” – in the deal that would make it impractical for the Vikings to match.
Burleson caught 30 passes for 328 yards and one touchdown last season while bothered by multiple injuries.
The Seahawks owe the Vikings a third-round pick, based on Burleson’s draft position in 2003.
“The Seahawks do not have to publicly disclose their finances, state Attorney General Rob McKenna said.
McKenna’s opinion, issued Thursday, trumps a 2003 “informal” opinion from then-Attorney General Chris Gregoire, which said the team was to provide annual profit-and-loss information as part of the deal that resulted in $300 million in tax dollars going to pay for Qwest Field.
McKenna said as he interprets the law, the NFL team doesn’t have to disclose the team’s finances, because Seahawks owner Paul Allen designated another company, First & Goal Corp., to be the legal “tenant.”
Favre not ready to decide
The Green Bay Packers aren’t pressuring Brett Favre to make a retirement decision by today’s due date for a $3 million roster bonus.
Even if they were, the quarterback doesn’t think he owes the team a decision this weekend anyway.
In his most recent comments about his murky football future, Favre made one thing clear: If he does return, he told a newspaper in his native Mississippi, there is “no doubt” it will be his last season.
Packers general manager Ted Thompson said the date wasn’t a firm deadline, and ESPN.com reported Friday night that the team had pushed it back to an undisclosed date – the third time this off-season Favre’s bonus date has been delayed.
“If I don’t tell them by (today), what will they do, cut me?” Favre told the Sun Herald in Gulfport, Miss.
Around the league
The New York Giants and Jets moved a step closer to their new home in the Meadowlands. Officials from New Jersey, the Giants and the Jets said they’ve made several changes to an agreement signed last fall that will create a new, $1 billion football stadium in East Rutherford. … The New Orleans Saints signed wide receiver Chris Horn to a two-year contract. Horn has mostly been a reserve in three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Chicago Bears defensive lineman Terry “Tank” Johnson is recovering from surgery to repair a torn quadriceps muscle, an injury that could sideline him for at least four months. The 24-year-old Johnson injured his leg during a workout and had surgery last week. … Washington re-signed restricted free-agent cornerback Ade Jimoh.