PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Ryan Interested in Signing Phil Simms

Buddy Ryan, yet to win with the Arizona Cardinals or settle on a quarterback, now says he’s interested in Phil Simms. “I’ve got a call into him right now,” the coach said after practice. While the Cardinals consider Simms, they have closed the door on Rich Gannon. Ryan says he will not pursue the former starter at Minnesota and Washington.

In another personnel matter, Ryan said he will sign running back Barry Word if Word checks out medically. Word, 31, arrived at the training facility unannounced Wednesday and worked out for coaches after practice.

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The NFL and its game officials reached a tentative agreement on a new contract that will increase salaries by nearly 50% and triple pension payments. NFL spokesman Joe Browne confirmed the nine-member board of directors of the officials association has unanimously agreed to a settlement pending a mail vote of all 101 game officials. It’s expected to be completed by Tuesday. . . . The Washington Redskins lead the NFL with a payroll of $46.997 million, including pro-rated bonuses and player benefits, according to figures released by the NFL Players Assn. The numbers also show that 18 of the 28 teams are actually over the $34.6-million salary cap when pro-rated bonuses are included. Teams under the cap include Dallas, Miami and the New York Giants. . . . The Giants released wide receiver Mark Jackson to make room for waiver-wire pickup Coleman Rudolph. It marked the second time this year that the Giants released Jackson, their leading receiver in 1993. Jackson was waived in a salary-cap move in May, but was re-signed in training camp and made the roster as the backup to Mike Sherrard and Chris Calloway.