Edwards Expected to Be Named Coach of the Jets

Herman Edwards, the assistant head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reportedly will be introduced today as the coach of the New York Jets.

Although no contract has been agreed upon, Newsday reported on its Web site that the job was Edwards’ and that a news conference was set for today.

“Herman Edwards has successfully overcome every challenge he has ever faced, and I don’t think this one will be any different,” Tampa Bay General Manager Rich McKay said. “The Jets are very fortunate to be getting such a quality guy.”

The hiring ended a quick four-candidate search.

The other candidates to replace Al Groh, who resigned after one season to become coach at the University of Virginia, were former Carolina Panther coach Dom Capers, Buffalo Bill defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and Jet assistant head coach Maurice Carthon.

Edwards will join Minnesota’s Dennis Green and Tampa Bay’s Tony Dungy as black head coaches. He will be only the second black head coach in the NFL’s last 42 hirings.

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NFL owners eliminated a major hurdle to realignment Wednesday by adopting a new revenue-sharing plan.

Under the plan that will begin in 2002, the 40% gate receipts earned by each visiting team in all regular-season and exhibition games will be combined, with the money then distributed equally among all 32 teams.

“There are economic considerations of realigning with a major upheaval of traditional rivalries,” Kansas City Chief owner Lamar Hunt said. “This is an important step.”

During their one-day meeting in Irving, Texas, owners again discussed but took no formal action on realignment that will be needed when the expansion Houston Texans join in 2002.

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Michael Vick is teaming up with former NFL quarterback Jim Kelly.

Vick, passing up his final two years of eligibility at Virginia Tech to make himself available for the NFL draft, signed a contract with Kelly Enterprises. The star quarterback also has a representation agreement with Joel Enterprises of Richmond, Va.

“He is one of most talented athletes I’ve ever seen,” Kelly said. “His potential is unlimited.”

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Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones has met with Troy Aikman about the quarterback’s future, but says he still doesn’t know when a decision will be made.

“Nothing has been resolved, but we have met,” Jones said. “We have a good grasp . . . and an open line of communication.”

Aikman sat out the final two games this season. He suffered his second concussion of the season, and the 10th of his 12-year NFL career, when he was tackled by Washington Redskin linebacker Lavar Arrington on Dec. 10.

Aikman, 34, has given no indication publicly if he plans to continue his career.

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William “Tank” Black, an agent charged with swindling NFL players out of millions of dollars, pleaded guilty in Detroit to money laundering and faces up to 6 1/2 years in prison.

Under his plea agreement, Black also could be fined up to $2.2 million when he is sentenced May 10.

“We knew that the money was unlawful in some kind of way,” Black told U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Zatkoff. “We knew that it was wrong.”

In exchange for his guilty plea, Black was cleared of other charges, including conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, perjury and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

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A report alleging the New York Giants had been accused of cheating in their playoff run to the Super Bowl was squashed by the NFL.

A sports columnist for the Toronto Globe and Mail created a stir when he reported that charges were brought to the NFL’s attention that the Giants had intercepted radio communications between opposition coaches and their quarterbacks during NFC playoff games against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings.

Quarterbacks have radio devices in their helmets to communicate with their sideline during the game.

Chris McCloskey, director of information for the NFC, shot down the rumor.

“The league has not been contacted by either the Eagles or the Vikings regarding the complaint that has been reported, nor have we heard from the Giants. There is no investigation,” McCloskey said.

“There’s nothing there.”

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Defensive end Shawn King, who started eight of the Indianapolis Colts’ first nine games in 1999, has been reinstated by the NFL after a one-year suspension for violating the league’s drug and alcohol policy. . . . Viking defensive tackle John Randle was fined $7,500 by the NFL for a public act of obscenity during the Vikings’ NFC playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 7. After sacking Saint quarterback Aaron Brooks, Randle celebrated by acting as if he were urinating on the field.