Tagliabue to retire as Commissioner in July

Update 11:31 am


Paul Tagliabue is retiring as NFL commissioner in July after more than 16 years on the job.
The 65-year-old commissioner has led the league since 1989, when he succeeded Pete Rozelle, and had recently signed a two-year contract extension to complete the television and labor deals.
He finally got that done 12 days ago, finishing the most arduous labor negotiations since the league and union agreed on a free agency-salary cap deal in 1992.


Paul Tagliabue oversaw tremendous change in the NFL during his 16 years as commissioner.
"I believe that now is a positive time to make the transition to a new commissioner," Tagliabue said in a statement.
Roger Goodell, the NFL's chief operating officer, and Atlanta general manager Rich McKay are the two leading candidates to succeed Tagliabue. Baltimore Ravens president Dick Cass is considered a dark horse.
Tagliabue has said he wants to avoid the kind of seven-month deadlock that occurred between him and the late Jim Fink after Rozelle stepped down in March 1989.
"We have a collective bargaining extension in place, long-term television contracts, and have undertaken many other strong elements in league and club operations," Tagliabue said. "I am honored to have been commissioner since late 1989 and to have been heavily involved with the league, its owners, clubs, coaches, players, fans and media since 1969."
Tagliabue's term will be remembered most for labor peace following strikes in 1982 and 1987. His close relationship with Gene Upshaw, the union's executive director, finally led to a long-term agreement after five years without a contract.
But the bargaining was hard this time, with three straight deadline extensions needed. The agreement avoided the prospect of entering free agency this year with the possibility of an uncapped year in 2007.
He also oversaw a massive stadium building program. More than two-thirds of the NFL's 32 teams are either playing in or building stadiums that didn't exist when he took over as commissioner in 1989.
Before becoming commissioner, Tagliabue was a league lawyer who spent much of that time as the NFL's representative and unofficial lobbyist in Washington.


Pro Day Work Out
March 20
Cumberland (Tenn.), East Carolina, Harvard, Iowa, Richmond, South Carolina State, Southern Mississippi, SE Missouri State, William & Mary


According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jim Mora is interested in New York Jets defensive end John Abraham, but does not want to include quarterback Matt Schaub in a trade. Schaub will become a restricted free agent after this season, so, if he signs with another team, the Falcons have the right to match the offer......

Fullback Tony Richardson, who joined the Chiefs in 1995 and worked his way up from special teams to starting fullback, is hoping he can finish his career with the Chiefs. According to the Kansas City Star, there is still a little work left to do, but Richardson feels better about the chances for getting something done....

The Dallas Cowboys signed offensive tackle Jason Fabini to a three-year contract, a potentially key addition overshadowed by the signing of receiver Terrell Owens.
The 6-foot-7, 304-pound Fabini likely will take over the right tackle spot that has been troublesome pretty much since Erik Williams was in his Pro Bowl prime in the 1990s. Rookie Rob Petitti played there last season and struggled, especially when extra blockers were used to help other linemen.
Fabini broke into the league with the New York Jets in 1998 when Cowboys coach Bill Parcells was there. Fabini spent his entire eight-year career with the Jets, starting 114 consecutive games until he tore a chest muscle Nov. 18 and didn't return. He was released Feb. 22.
"I'm healed up and ready to go," Fabini said. "I start the offseason program (March 20)."
His real value will be ending the turnstile at right tackle, plus being able to play on the left side should Flozell Adams not recover from the injury that knocked him out last season.
"He can really help solidify our offensive line," team vice president Stephen Jones said. "We needed some flexibility there as well."
The 31-year-old Fabini is the latest member of the Parcells alumni club to be reunited with the coach. Other former Jets teammates he'll find in the locker room include Jason Ferguson and Aaron Glenn.
"It made it easier, knowing Bill is here," said Fabini, who spoke with Parcells several times last week. "He's a great coach. I'm looking forward to working for him again. He told me there was an opportunity at right tackle. I'm just looking forward for the chance to compete for the job and to help the team."
On another day, this signing might've been more heralded. On this day, Fabini had to wait to be introduced to Jerry Jones until the owner had finished speaking with reporters about Owens.
Fabini took it completely in stride, joking about the anonymity of offensive linemen.
So what does he think of his newest teammate?
"I think his play speaks for itself," Fabini said. "The guy wants to win and he's a great player."