Miller’s Newest Headache: Release
It has been three months since Chris Miller suffered his fifth concussion in 14 months, and he’s still not back to normal. On Monday, the St. Louis Rams released him.
Miller, 30, said he would sit out next season. But he stopped short of retiring, saying he would undergo more tests in three months.
“I know I still have a lot of throws left in my arm,” Miller said in a conference call from his home in Eugene, Ore. “I just want to leave that window of opportunity open for later.”
Since the end of the season, Miller has consulted a neuropsychologist, three neurosurgeons and the team physician of the New York Jets. All said he should not play again.
Miller suffered his third concussion of the season Dec. 3 when he was knocked unconscious by Marvin Washington of the Jets, who bumped helmets with him and then drove him to the artificial turf.
Miller said his headaches have mostly subsided, but tests have shown he can’t process information quickly and he said he’s also having trouble recalling information. During his news conference, he lost his train of thought several times.
Miller’s departure leaves the Rams without a starting quarterback.
Mark Rypien, the backup who started the last three games last season, is a free agent. The Rams have matching rights, however, and want to re-sign him.
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The Miami Dolphins acquired a new target for Dan Marino, signing former Pro Bowl receiver Fred Barnett to a five-year, $8.5-million contract.
Barnett, 29, could replace Irving Fryar, a free agent who probably will play elsewhere next fall. The Dolphins’ other starting receiver is O.J. McDuffie.
Last season with Philadelphia, Barnett had 48 receptions for 585 yards and five touchdowns.
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The Dallas Cowboys have signed free-agent linebacker Fred Strickland, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, to a two-year, $1.15-million contract.
Having lost four defensive starters and a nickel back in the opening month of free agency, the Cowboys hope the signing will help make up for the loss of middle linebacker Robert Jones, who earlier signed with the Rams.
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Natrone Means, a former Pro Bowl running back who was released by the San Diego Chargers last month in a salary-cap move, was claimed on waivers by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars will assume the four-year, $7.3-million contract Means signed last summer after an 11-day holdout.
But Means will count only $1.6 million against the Jaguars’ salary cap because the Chargers have to pay the pro-rated portion of his signing bonus.
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Thurman Thomas, who will be 30 in May, signed a three-year contract extension that will keep him in a Buffalo Bills’ uniform at an age when most running backs are retired. The contract will pay Thomas a little more than $9 million.
Miscellany
The Los Angeles Ice Dogs signed General Manager-Coach John Van Boxmeer to a three-year contract extension that runs through the 1998-99 season.
Forwards Tanja Kostic of Oregon State and Kate Starbird of Stanford were named Pacific 10 women’s basketball co-players of the year by conference coaches. Guard Nickey Hilbert of UCLA and forward Tina Thompson of USC were named to the all-conference team.
Chris Law will defend his championship in the 32nd Congressional Cup match-racing regatta at Long Beach today through Saturday. The fleet of 10 skippers features husband and wife Peter and J.J. Isler sailing rival boats, the latter with the event’s first all-woman crew. All will sail Catalina 37s on a short windward-leeward course set off Belmont Pier.
Fighting a week of sleep depravation and shrinking dog teams, the Iditarod leaders pulled out of Koyuk, Alaska, at midday, heading for a final eight-hour layover before the dash to Nome.
First out was 1993 winner Jeff King, who left at 11:22 a.m. Defending champion Doug Swingley followed at 12:07 p.m. Martin Buser of Big Lake, the 1992 and ’94 winner, left at 12:35 p.m.
Texas kicker Phil Dawson is recovering from knee surgery at Austin, Texas, but may be ready for the start of next football season. Dawson underwent reconstructive knee surgery Friday.
Soccer
Former U.S. World Cup and Olympic team midfielder Chris Henderson of UCLA signed with Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids.
Players in Italy’ Serie A, or first division, called a strike for Sunday to protest their alleged lack of input into how the sport is governed. Lower divisions were expected to join the strike.