NFL NEWS AND NOTES

The Chiefs signed the following players to two-year reserve/future contracts: DB Robb Butler, FB Greg Hanoian, DT Brian Howard, QB Omar Jacobs, TE Adam Johnson, DE Montez Murphy, CB Zach Norton, CB Dimitri Patterson, CB Justin Phinisee, LB Nick Reid, TE Keith Willis and LB Timi Wusu.....


Giants.com reports that the team has released LB LaVar Arrington and LB Carlos Emmons, moves considered to help restructure their roster. Arrington tore his Achilles in October in Dallas, ending his only season with the G-Men. Emmons missed four games with a chest injury but had been with New York for three seasons. "These are difficult decisions," Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said. "But as Jerry (Reese, the team's GM) and I looked at the roster, they are decisions we felt we had to make as we start to compose our team for the upcoming season. ... Carlos gave us everything he had, but his injuries the last couple years kept him from being the kind of player we know he is. LaVar was only here a short time, but as a coach, I couldn't have asked for more from a veteran player in terms of his desire and his enthusiasm.....

Seahawks president of football operations Tim Ruskell said the team is pleased with the progress its 2006 Super Bowl and Pro Bowl quarterback is making from shoulder surgery last month. After the Jan. 18 surgery that successfully reattached the torn labrum cartilage in Hasselbeck's left, non-throwing shoulder, Ruskell said he didn't expect Hasselbeck to miss the entire offseason. "We are very happy with Matt's rehabilitation," Ruskell said Monday, between scouting meetings at team headquarters. Ruskell would not elaborate on what exactly that rehabilitation currently entails or when Hasselbeck will be back on the field throwing. Hasselbeck was in Miami for Super Bowl week earlier this month for promotional appearances while wearing a brace on his left arm.....

The Ft. Worth Star-Telegram reports that the Cowboys are interested in signing QB Tony Romo to a long-term deal, according to an NFL source. Romo, who is slated to start for them in 2007, has a contract that pays him only through the upcoming season.....

There are conflicting reports on the status of Lions RB Kevin Jones, who suffered a Lisfranc fracture -- a major foot injury -- in Week 14 of the 2006 season. NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports Jones will now be out for at least half of the 2007 campaign, citing team sources. But Tom Kowalski, the Lions' beat writer for Booth Newspapers, a chain of papers in Michigan, disputes the report and says Jones remains on schedule to be ready for the start of training camp in late July, with the team not giving him a lot to do until mid-August. The reports did agree that the Lions are shopping for a veteran running back in free agency this offseason as an insurance policy.....

The Steelers signed kicker Connor Hughes to a one-year deal.....
Only weeks after assuring Marty Schottenheimer his job was safe, the Chargers fired him Monday, citing his 'dysfunctional' relationship with A.J. Smith, the team's general manager... A possible candidate is USC's Pete Carroll, who interviewed with the Dolphins in January and whose name has come up in connection with other NFL vacancies... Other potential candidates include Ron Rivera, Chicago's defensive coordinator; Mike Martz, Detroit's offensive coordinator, and Jim Mora, the recently fired Atlanta coach.