League Suspends Seahawks’ Springs for Steroid Violation

Seattle Seahawk cornerback Shawn Springs was suspended for four games Tuesday for violating the NFL’s policy banning steroid use.

Springs will not be eligible to play again until the Seahawks’ second-to-last game of the regular season Dec. 30 at San Diego.

Coach Mike Holmgren called the suspension “unfortunate.”

“The league has very stringent rules about what kind of supplements or body enhancers you can use,” Holmgren said. “When you choose to follow your own routine, you run the risk of unintentionally violating the league’s policy.

“It hurts the team, it hurts Shawn and it’s a lesson to be learned.”

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Desperate for a kicker who can find the uprights, the San Diego Chargers will audition former Buffalo star Steve Christie, who has been out this season because of a groin injury.

Christie, 34, has been one of the NFL’s best clutch kickers the last 11 seasons.

He flew from Buffalo to San Diego on Tuesday and arrived in enough time to take his physical, which he passed, General Manager John Butler said.

Christie will have a tryout today.

If the slumping Chargers feel he still has good range, they’ll almost certainly sign him to take over field-goal attempts from the inaccurate Wade Richey.

Richey, who missed two short field-goal attempts in Sunday’s 20-17 loss to Arizona, is expected to remain on the team and handle kickoffs.

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Fullback Mike Sellers, arrested last week and charged with felony drug abuse, was released by the Cleveland Browns “for a combination of reasons.”

He was expected to be reinstated by Coach Butch Davis, but the team instead decided to cut its ties with Sellers, who signed a three-year, $2.4-million contract in February with the Browns.

“We have released Mike Sellers for a combination of reasons relating to his performance and conduct,” team President Carmen Policy said. “We decided it is in the best interests of the Cleveland Browns’ organization, the team and Mike Sellers that this action be taken.

“As part of his release, the Browns have offered to help provide Mike with any guidance, counseling or similar-type assistance he might request relative to his personal issues.”

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The Minnesota Vikings signed free-agent linebacker Pete Monty. Monty was a backup and special teams player for the New York Giants the last four seasons.... The Miami Dolphins waived cornerback Zebbie Lethridge. Lethridge was in training camp earlier this season with Miami before being waived on Aug. 26. He was re-signed after injuries depleted the Dolphins’ secondary.... The Atlanta Falcons put little-used linebacker Antony Jordan on injured reserve because of an ailing shoulder. Defensive tackle Ron Moore was signed from the practice squad to take Jordan’s spot on the 53-man roster.... The Buffalo Bills signed kicker Shayne Graham, one day after Jake Arians was released after a missed point-after against the Dolphins.... Fullback Nick Williams, who tore a knee ligament in May, was activated by the Cincinnati Bengals, who cleared roster space by waiving tight end Kirk McMullen. The Bengals also released receiver Malcolm Johnson from their practice squad.... Longtime NFL player Jumbo Elliott was hired by the New York Jets as an assistant offensive line coach.

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The NFL players’ union agreed to share the NFL’s cost of increased stadium security in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.

The union agreed to give up as much as $250,000 per team in player salaries next season--or about $7.75 million for the 31-team league--to defray costs.

The NFL’s cap on each team’s payroll next season will increase to about $72 million.

Increased security at stadiums includes additional personnel to randomly search vehicles and guards at each entrance to turn away fans with backpacks.