PRO FOOTBALL/ DAILY REPORT : NFC : Everyone’s Still Waiting on Sanders

The Dallas Cowboys felt confident Friday that cornerback Deion Sanders would soon wear a star on his helmet.

However, negotiations were proceeding slowly Friday night and owner Jerry Jones left a rear exit of the Cowboys’ Valley Ranch complex without talking to the media on how the talks were progressing.

The public relations office closed for the night. One of the staffers said, “We’ll see you in the morning.”

In San Francisco, 49er President Carmen Policy said: “Basically, everything is status quo. There’s no deal. We’re waiting on the Dallas deal.”

Sanders went 0 for 3 and scored a run in the San Francisco Giants’ 7-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs, but after the game, he had nothing to say.

“I’m very encouraged,” Jones said Friday afternoon. “We gave it our best shot, and we feel good about things.”

Jones offered Sanders a bonus approaching $10 million with a total package of some $23 million over five years. But he said the Cowboys had given up any possibility of trading defensive lineman Russell Maryland to free some $1.8 million under the cap.

“No way would Russell Maryland be part of a trade,” Jones said.

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Once again the way is clear for the beer to flow at Carolina Panther games played on Sundays in Clemson, S.C.

And though the issue remains at the South Carolina Supreme Court, a lower court judge’s order Friday telling the state Revenue Department to issue the permits may have all but choked off opponents’ fight to stop alcohol sales at Death Valley.

“It’s very close to being a lost cause now,” said lawyer Scott Dover, who represents Clemson United Methodist Church, which opposes the Sunday sales.

Citizens and religious leaders in the town of 12,000 have battled Sunday sales of beer and wine since Clemson agreed in 1993 to host the Panthers’ first season.

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Injuries to J.J. Stokes and John Taylor have thrust Nate Singleton into the 49ers’ starting lineup for Sunday’s home opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Singleton, normally the team’s fourth wide receiver, moved up the depth chart after Taylor suffered a right knee sprain last week and joined Stokes on the sidelines. Stokes, the club’s top draft pick, broke a bone in his right hand during training camp and could sit out another three weeks. Taylor may return for the Sept. 17 game against New England.