Raiders’ Revolving Door: George In, Hostetler Out

Quarterback Jeff George is coming to the Oakland Raiders.

But to make that possible, a lot of recognizable names will be leaving.

George and the Raiders agreed Friday to the basic terms of a five-year, $26-million deal. According to George’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, a few details remain to be worked out in the contract, but he doesn’t anticipate any last-minute holdups.

“It’s pretty much done,” said Steinberg in a telephone interview. “We’re just fine-tuning the language. Jeff is in the process of flying to Oakland. Hopefully, we’ll have everything done by [today]. They’ve scheduled a news conference.”

Who George’s backup will be, however, remains unclear. According to a source close to the team, Jeff Hostetler, the starter since 1993, is being shopped around the league.

Hostetler’s backup, Billy Joe Hobert, will become a Buffalo Bill, according to the source, if details of a proposed trade between the two teams can be finalized.

To make the George deal possible, the Raiders cut four veterans Thursday--defensive tackle Jerry Ball, punter Jeff Gossett, fullback Derrick Fenner and safety Lorenzo Lynch.

Their departure frees nearly $4.5 million.

George sat out most of last season after being released by the Atlanta Falcons following an ugly sideline dispute with then-coach June Jones.

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Unwilling to settle for a job as quarterback Brad Johnson’s backup, Warren Moon will begin as soon as next week to shop for a new team to revive his career.

At age 40 and coming off an injury-shortened season, Moon still has two years left on a three-year, $15-million contract he signed with the Minnesota Vikings last year. That precludes him from talking with other teams, but Moon expects the Vikings to release him shortly.

Viking officials have indicated they will bring Moon back if he accepts a $500,000 salary as Johnson’s backup.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed offensive lineman Paul Gruber to a three-year, $9.9-million contract. . . . The Denver Broncos traded their second-round pick in the 1997 draft to the Baltimore Ravens for offensive left tackle Tony Jones. The Broncos released six players, including cornerback Lionel Washington, a former Raider, and wide receiver Mike Sherrard. . . . The New York Giants signed starting defensive tackle Keith Hamilton and free-agent punter Scott Player. The club also waived punter Mike Horan and starting safety Jesse Campbell. . . . Middle linebacker Kyle Clifton, 34, announced his retirement today after 13 seasons with the New York Jets. . . . The New Orleans Saints released linebacker Rufus Porter and backup quarterback Tommy Hodson.

Jurisprudence

Tennis star Roscoe Tanner has been indicted for failing to pay $500,000 in child support to a former mistress.

Virginia Wesleyan has suspended 23 athletes, including members of the basketball, baseball and lacrosse teams, as the result of a brawl on the school’s soccer field.

The family of slain replacement player Dave Shotkowski agreed to a plea bargain that will result in a 27-year jail term for his killer. Neal Douglas Evans, a 32-year-old convicted felon with a history of kidnapping, armed robbery and burglary, was accused of murdering the 30-year-old pitcher, who was at Atlanta Braves camp at West Palm Beach, Fla., during the baseball strike in March, 1995.

Former Kansas City Royal infielder Jose Lind, 32, pleaded guilty to a felony cocaine charge in Olathe, Kan.

Tennis

Boris Becker made an unexpected exit from the quarterfinals of the $1-million Dubai Open in the United Arab Emirates without even getting onto the court. The German, ranked 13th in the world, withdrew because of a wrist injury.

Marcelo Rios and Thomas Enqvist, the top two seeded players in France’s Marseille Open, reached the semifinals, Rios rallying to beat Magnus Larsson of Sweden, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4, Enqvist defeating Hendrik Dreekman of Germany, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Martina Hingis led the top four seeded players into the semifinals of the $480,000 Paris Women’s Open with a 6-3, 6-2 win over France’s Nathalie Tauziat.

Miscellany

Chad Carvin made a successful return to swimming at the U.S. National Swimming Championships in Buffalo, N.Y. Carvin, 22, American record holder in the 1,000-meter freestyle, won the 200-meter freestyle in one minute, 50.42 seconds. He also won the 400-meter individual medley in 4:21.77. Only 45 minutes separated the races.

Nike has signed a five-year agreement with the Women’s National Basketball Assn. to provide marketing and communication support.