PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Patriot Ownership Situation Unresolved

Victor Kiam’s future as owner of the New England Patriots remained unclear as he faced a deadline today for paying his minority partner $38 million or possibly losing the team.

Lawyers for Kiam and Fran Murray, who owns 49% of the NFL club have been trying to work out an agreement for several weeks. Spokesmen for Robert Popeo, Murray’s attorney, and Earle Cooley, Kiam’s attorney, said the lawyers were tied up in a meeting all afternoon.

There is a possibility Murray would agree to extend the deadline until the Patriots’ season ends, while the NFL, which took control of the franchise last month, remains in charge.

Cornerback Ben Smith, the Philadelphia Eagles’ No. 1 draft pick last year from Georgia, is sidelined for the season because of a torn ligament in his left knee.

Smith suffered the injury Sunday during the second quarter of the Eagles’ 32-30 victory over the Cleveland Browns. He was trying to prevent a 17-yard pass completion to Webster Slaughter.

“It’s a big loss. He’s an outstanding corner,” Coach Rich Kotite said. “We had the two best corners in the league, (Smith and Eric Allen).

Smith, the 22nd choice in the first round of last year’s draft, has 19 tackles and two interceptions this season.

It will be a family feud when the New Orleans Saints play the San Diego Chargers Sunday in San Diego, and Saint Coach Jim Mora said he won’t enjoy it.

Mora’s son, Jim, coaches the secondary for the Chargers under Coach Dan Henning.

“He told my wife last night that he wasn’t going to talk to me,” Mora said, sharing a family joke. “I called him last night and congratulated him on (beating the Seattle Seahawks).”

“I won’t enjoy coaching this week against my son. I know one of us is going to lose. Hopefully it’s not us. I won’t enjoy that situation. I really won’t.”

It was suggested that a tie might help family relations.

“I hope we don’t to that, either,” Mora said.