Published: Thursday, February 15, 2001

vikings report

Moss talks put off until summer

Salary cap room needs to be made first, McCombs says

Pioneer Press

---------------------------------------------------------------------- -- BILL WILLIAMSON STAFF WRITER ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Because of the team's serious salary cap issues, Vikings owner Red McCombs said plans to negotiate a contract extension for star wide receiver Randy Moss likely will be put on hold until the summer. Moss signed a four-year contract when he was drafted in the first round in 1998. The team would like to wrap up a deal before he can become an unrestricted free agent next year. The Vikings had hoped to start negotiations this month, but because they must chop more than $17 million from the salary cap by March 2, the talks will have to wait. ``We just don't have the salary cap room, and we'll have to wait,'' McCombs said Wednesday. ``We'll have to wait until after the draft (April 21-22) and until our draft picks are signed. So, it may be right before training camp before we talk to Randy about a new deal. We have time; his contract doesn't expire until next year.'' It's believed Moss could command a contract that would make him the highest-paid player in the NFL. He has said he wants to continue playing for coach Dennis Green. However, after the Vikings' 41-0 loss to New York in the NFC championship game, Moss hinted he might want to move on. Moss' agent, Dante DiTrapano, said Wednesday he understood McCombs' decision to delay contract discussions. ``Randy signed a four-year contract, which he intends to honor,'' DiTrapano said. ``Whenever Mr. McCombs wants to discuss an extension, we will be available to consider it.'' McCombs scoffed at the rumors that the Vikings were considering trading Moss. Recently, there have been published reports that said the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos were interested in sending packages of players and draft picks to the Vikings in exchange for Moss. ``That is a nonentity,'' McCombs said of the trade rumors. ``I just don't know where those things come from. That is not going to happen.''

Loss of Smith felt: A week after the sudden retirement of running back Robert Smith, McCombs said it was still difficult to grasp that the star is leaving the game. ``I respect him so much as a person and a player, and he means so much to me and the organization,'' McCombs said. ``I just want the best for him.'' McCombs said he left a phone message with Smith at his Cleveland-area home, but he has not talked to him. Smith has kept a very low profile since making his announcement Feb. 7. He has talked to few in the Vikings' organization.

Briefly: The Vikings are expected to release their exhibition and training camp schedules by early next week. They still are determining whether they will play in an American Bowl game in Toronto, giving them a fifth exhibition. At this point, it appears they will not play in the game. * The Vikings allotted 10 players to play in NFL Europe this spring: tight end Giles Cole, receiver Jeremy Earp, defensive lineman Tim Engelhardt, defensive lineman Winfield Garnett, tackle Jay Humphrey, receiver Lonny Mitchell, running back Marvin Welch, cornerback Keith Williams, linebacker Antonio Wilson and defensive end Antwone Young. Garnett and Williams were signed by the team Wednesday. Williams, a worl

-- Mark (Karch 222@aol.com), February 15, 2001