NFL | Redskins cut former Eagle Troy Vincent

Veteran safety Troy Vincent - one of the most popular Eagles of the last 10 years - was cut yesterday by the Washington Redskins, saving the team about $1.3 million in salary-cap space.

The Redskins signed Vincent six games into the 2006 season after free-agent acquisition Adam Archuleta's early struggles. Vincent, 35, started three games, missed two with a hamstring injury, then returned as a reserve for the final two. His biggest play came on special teams, when he blocked a field goal in the final minute of a win over Dallas.

The president of the NFL Players Association, Vincent began 2006 with Buffalo but was placed on injured reserve after hurting his hamstring in the season opener. The Bills later released him, and he signed a three-year, $3.9 million contract with the Redskins in October.

Vincent has 47 career interceptions. The Trenton native was with the Eagles from 1996 to 2003, earning all-pro honors five times.

Cowboys. Dallas hired Wade Wilson to coach quarterbacks and Bruce Read to run special teams on Wade Phillips' staff. Wilson spent the last three seasons coaching Chicago's quarterbacks.

Jaguars. Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio said Byron Leftwich would return to his starting role, ending speculation about what the Jaguars would do at quarterback. Del Rio had said after the season that he wanted to take time to evaluate Leftwich, David Garrard and Quinn Gray.

Saints. New Orleans designated defensive end Charles Grant as the team's franchise player. Placing the franchise tag on Grant means the Saints will have to pay him about $8.6 million for 2007, an average of the top five salaries for fellow NFL defensive ends.

Seahawks. Seattle designated clutch kicker Josh Brown as the team's franchise player. Unless a long-term contract can be reached, Brown will receive the one-year, $2.078 million tender offer for the 2007 season - the average of the five top-paid kickers in the NFL.

Ravens. Baltimore decided against designating Pro Bowl linebacker Adalius Thomas as its franchise player, a move that will enable the seven-year veteran to become an unrestricted free agent.

Browns. Kellen Winslow underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee last month, a more extensive procedure than was initially revealed and one that will require a longer recovery. Cleveland's tight end remains on crutches following the Jan. 30 operation to remove scar tissue and repair cartilage.

Raiders. Oakland cut ties with Aaron Brooks, declining to pick up the option on the quarterback's contract after one difficult season.

Bears. Lovie Smith's negotiations for a new contract are at a stalemate, according to his agent, who created a stir on Wednesday night by saying the coach who led the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl could become a free agent after the 2007 season.

Bears general manger Jerry Angelo told reporters at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis that the team still wanted Smith to be its coach.

Smith made $1.35 million in the third year of a four-year contract last season, making him the lowest-paid head coach in the NFL.

Titans. More than $81,000 in cash belonging to Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was seized by police, who say the money sparked a weekend melee and a triple shooting at a Las Vegas strip club.

Jones was showering more than 40 strippers onstage early Monday with cash "intended as a visual effect," according to a search warrant. But a scuffle broke out when the Houston promoter who hired the strippers told them to pick up the money.

Jones' lawyer, Worrick Robinson, has said his client did not know anyone involved in the shooting and was interviewed by authorities as a witness, not as a suspect.