Broncos’ Griese Cleared to Start Against 49ers

Denver Bronco quarterback Brian Griese will have a chance to tune up for the playoffs when he returns Saturday for his team’s regular-season finale.

Griese on Thursday was officially cleared to start against the San Francisco 49ers after sitting out five games because of a separated right shoulder.

“I’ll be ready to go,” he said after practicing for the second day in a row.

Bronco Coach Mike Shanahan said Griese looked strong enough to replace backup Gus Frerotte, who is 4-2 as a starter.

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A week-long war of words between Bronco linebacker Bill Romanowski and the 49ers’ J.J. Stokes and Garrison Hearst continued after Hearst called Romanowski a “racist dope pusher.”

Shrugging off the characterization, Romanowski attacked Hearst’s standing in the NFL. Hearst has been sidelined because of a severe ankle injury the last two seasons.

“Garrison Hearst? I don’t even know who he is,” Romanowski said. “Has he even played? I mean he’s jawing and saying all that in the paper. That’s the last of my worries.”

The feud stems from a confrontation three years ago when Romanowski spit in Stokes’ face during a Monday night game.

Romanowski rekindled the rivalry this week when he said Stokes has “no fight in him. If somebody did that to me, they’d have to throw me out of the game, because I’d go after him.”

Stokes fired back, saying Romanowski lacks integrity and relies on performance-enhancing drugs.

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San Diego Charger safety Rodney Harrison lashed out at former Charger coach Kevin Gilbride, now the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator, saying he would retire before playing again for a coach so disliked by his players.

“To put it plain and simple, everyone hated him here, pretty much,” Harrison said.

Gilbride was 6-16 as San Diego coach in 1997-98. The Chargers still are paying Gilbride on a contract that runs through 2001.

Gilbride seemed surprised by Harrison’s remarks.

“Actually, he was one of my favorite players,” Gilbride said. “He was a good player, and plays the game you would like to have your players play. I’m disappointed. I have a lot of respect for him as a player.”

The Chargers play the Steelers Sunday in San Diego.

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Charger linebacker Junior Seau was fined $7,500 by the NFL for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Carolina Panther quarterback Steve Beuerlein. . . . Plea negotiations have broken down in Oakland Raider kicker Sebastian Janikowski’s drug possession case and he will take his chances with a jury trial, his lawyer said in Tallahassee, Fla. Janikowski is scheduled to go on trial April 9 on charges of possession of the drug GHB. . . . Fullback Jon Ritchie did not practice with the Raiders because of his sprained right ankle and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game against Carolina. . . . Jacksonville Jaguar receiver Keenan McCardell sat out his second consecutive day of practice because of a bruised left knee and remains questionable for Saturday’s game against the New York Giants.