Johnson Could Go to Cowboys

Receiver Keyshawn Johnson said Tuesday that his agent had been granted permission by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to talk to the Cowboys about a possible trade that probably would involve receiver Joey Galloway.

Johnson, who played three seasons under Cowboy Coach Bill Parcells with the New York Jets, declined to elaborate. The Buccaneers had little to say.

“We won’t comment on rumor and speculation,” club spokesman Jeff Kamis said.

Johnson, who has four seasons remaining on an eight-year, $56-million contract he signed in 2000, was deactivated for the last six games of 2003 because of differences with Coach Jon Gruden.

Johnson, who earned $5.1 million last season, is due a $1-million roster bonus April 1, meaning any trade involving the receiver probably would be completed before then.

Dallas sent two first-round draft picks to the Seattle Seahawks four years ago in exchange for Galloway, who has three years left on a seven-year, $42-million contract.

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Denver re-signed three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Al Wilson to a seven-year, $42-million contract, clearing the way for the Broncos to work on a deal that could bring them cornerback Champ Bailey from the Washington Redskins for running back Clinton Portis.

Besides the proposal to send Bailey to Denver, the Redskins are pondering several trade possibilities involving the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback.

Jack Reale, Bailey’s agent, has said the Redskins have talked to the New York Jets, Houston, Chicago and Arizona, among others.

No deal can take place until the off-season trade and free-agency period begins March 3, although an agreement can be announced before then.

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Bruce Smith, the NFL’s career sack leader, and Jessie Armstead were among the players cut by the Redskins to help the team get under the $80.6-million salary cap.

Smith’s release was expected. The 40-year-old end had indicated he would retire after passing Reggie White for the all-time sack record in December.

Armstead, 33, a five-time Pro Bowl linebacker, signed a three-year, $4.5-million contract two years ago after playing nine seasons with the New York Giants.

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Seattle named tackle Walter Jones its franchise player, which would give the four-time Pro Bowl player a $7.1-million salary next season.

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Tennessee decided not to designate end Jevon Kearse a franchise player, a move that could allow him to leave as a free agent after March 3.

The designation would have guaranteed Kearse $6.5 million for one year.

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Tackle Chad Clifton was designated the franchise player by the Green Bay Packers, who would have to count his $7.021-million, one-year offer against the 2004 salary cap, which will be $80.6 million.

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Jacksonville made strong safety Donovin Darius its franchise player for the second consecutive year. He will earn $4.1 million next season if he doesn’t agree to a new contract.

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Seattle has asked tight end Jerramy Stevens to return $300,000 from his $2.8-million signing bonus as the result of a reckless driving conviction.

Stevens has appealed the team’s move to the NFL, contending he did not violate his contract.

Stevens, the Seahawks’ first-round draft pick in 2002, was stopped April 3 in Medina, Wash. He pleaded guilty to reckless driving June 10 and was sentenced to two days in jail.

In asking for the $300,000, the Seahawks cited a penalty clause in Stevens’ $7.2-million, six-year contract.

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Miscellany

NASCAR should not have allowed Joe Ruttman to start the race at North Carolina Speedway and is examining ways to prevent unqualified “field fillers” from competing in the future, officials said.

Ruttman ran one lap of the Subway 400 on Sunday before NASCAR black-flagged him because he didn’t have a pit crew. Ruttman earned $54,196 just for starting the race.

John Ruiz became the World Boxing Assn. heavyweight champion when Roy Jones Jr. confirmed he was relinquishing the belt to remain the World Boxing Council light-heavyweight champion. Ruiz had become interim champion when he defeated Hasim Rahman on Dec. 13.

The 13th Sports Legends Awards, presented by the Paralysis Project of America, will honor auto racing’s Bobby Unser, baseball’s Joe Morgan and Rod Dedeaux, tennis’ Stan Smith, golf’s Kathy Whitworth and football’s Mike Utley on Saturday at the downtown Omni hotel. The event is open to the public. Details: (323) 663-6554.

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Passings

Carl Liscombe, who helped the Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup in 1943, died Monday in Hawaii at age 89.