Groh Says He Wants Testaverde to Remain

As Vinny Testaverde was walking to a final team meeting Tuesday morning, New York Jet Coach Al Groh pulled Testaverde aside and told him he expects the quarterback to return as the starter.

That was exactly what Testaverde wanted to hear, even if the 14-year veteran claimed it wasn’t essential for Groh to verbalize it now.

“He wanted to make sure I understood how he felt and not let some of the things that were written affect me or him or our relationship,” Testaverde said. “I wasn’t looking to be reassured, but it is always a good feeling where somebody goes out of the way to give you that boost of assurance.

“I guess walking out of here I will feel a little better knowing he feels that way. I don’t have any questions or doubts.”

Groh made it clear that first-round draft pick Chad Pennington isn’t likely to be ready to start next September. Asked if Pennington could challenge Testaverde for the job, he said, “There is a lot of work to be done on his behalf before that statement could be made. He progressed very nicely. But to play and win are two different things.”

In other news, the Jets announced they have re-signed linebackers Mo Lewis and Bryan Cox, both of whom were free agents.

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The Atlanta Falcons re-signed offensive tackle Bob Whitfield to a six-year, $30.3-million contract that includes an $8-million signing bonus, agent Raymond Anderson said.

Whitfield, 29, had started a team-record 123 consecutive games at left tackle before missing Atlanta’s loss to San Francisco on Nov. 19 because of a minor neck injury. The 6-foot-5, 318-pounder started the other 15 games this season, as the Falcons finished in last place in the NFC West Division with a 4-12 record.

“We felt like the key to our free agency was getting him done,” Falcon Coach Dan Reeves said of Whitfield, who could have become a free agent in March.

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The Cincinnati Bengals demoted offensive coordinator Ken Anderson, their only significant move after their 10th consecutive season without a winning record.

The Bengals scored 185 points this season, the fewest in franchise history, and had the least-effective passing offense in the NFL, averaging 122 yards a game.

“We’re last at throwing the ball and that’s with 31 teams. We’re last by a considerable amount,” General Manager Mike Brown said. “If there were 50 teams, we’d still be last. We’re off the chart.”

Anderson became the coordinator in 1996 and took over the play calling when Bruce Coslet quit as coach after an 0-3 start. As part of his demotion Tuesday, Anderson was moved back into his previous role of quarterback coach.

In an anticipated move, linebacker coach Mark Duffner was elevated to defensive coordinator. Duffner takes over for Dick LeBeau, who was promoted to head coach in place of Coslet.

The Bengals also agreed to a four-year extension with defensive lineman Oliver Gibson. Gibson signed a three-year contract with the Bengals as a free agent in 1999. This year, he tied for the team lead with four sacks.

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Kent Stephenson, the only offensive line coach the Pittsburgh Steelers have had under Coach Bill Cowher, resigned after 17 years as an NFL assistant. Stephenson, 58, decided to retire during training camp but chose not to tell Cowher until the season ended. . . . The Denver Broncos signed guard Donnie Young to the practice squad. Young, 27, was with the Jacksonville Jaguars last spring but did not participate in training camp. He was out of football in 1998-99 after be waived by the Miami Dolphins.

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“Monday Night Football” ended the season on a down note.

The overnight TV rating for the AFC Central champion Tennessee Titans’ 31-0 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on ABC was a 10.6.

That’s the same overnight rating generated by the game Dec. 4 between Kansas City and New England. That game, between two non-playoff teams, produced the second-lowest full national rating in 31 seasons of “Monday Night Football”--9.9.