Wednesday, March 5, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
SUN WIRE REPORTS
Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning, likely to be the first pick in the April 19 draft if he makes himself eligible for the NFL, is ready to make a decision about whether he will play his senior season.
While various sources, including agents and NFL officials, said they believe Manning is likely to remain at Tennessee, there are other reports indicating the quarterback will leave for the NFL.
Manning, the son of former NFL and Mississippi quarterback Archie Manning, said Tuesday he planned to announce his decision this afternoon on the Tennessee campus.
"I'd say it's 99 percent sure that he'll stay," said one source, who asked not to be identified, adding he spoke with the Mannings on Monday night. "But no one knows for sure except the family. Archie has done a masterful job as agent-father of looking after his son's interests."
Meanwhile, the Knoxville-News Sentinel reported in today's editions that a source close to the New York Jets, who have the No. 1 pick in the draft, said Manning has decided to leave for the NFL.
"From what I hear, that's what the decision is," the source told the newspaper.
* MOON IN SAN DIEGO: Quar terback Warren Moon stopped in to see an old friend Tuesday -- and apply for a job. Moon, who played four seasons in Houston under new Chargers coach Kevin Gilbride, came to San Diego with r'esum'e in hand. After declining the Vikings' offer to return as their backup next season, Moon is hunting for work.
* RAMS SIGN IRONHEAD: The St. Louis Rams have added another big-name free agent, signing running back Craig "Ironhead" Heyward to a four-year contract. The Heyward deal on Tuesday came one day after St. Louis signed kicker Jeff Wilkins, formerly of San Francisco, to a four-year, $2.1 million deal. The Rams prized Heyward, 30, for his ability to help at three positions: H-back, fullback and backup tailback.
* STADIUM PUSH: The San Fran cisco 49ers began their push for a new stadium by bringing out their top names. In a pep rally atmosphere Tuesday night, top city officials joined team owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. in extolling the virtues of the $525 million entertainment stadium project to replace 3Com Park. Also in attendance was team president Carmen Policy, new head coach Steve Mariucci and retired running back Roger Craig, as well as current 49ers Merton Hanks and Bryant Young.
* TURNER GETS MORE TIME: While "job security" has become a contradiction in terms for NFL coaches, Norv Turner has received a measure of it from the Washington Redskins. Eleven teams have changed their head coach since the start of last season, but on Tuesday the Redskins extended Turner's contract through the 2001 season. Turner reportedly was signed to a five-year, $3 million deal in 1994.
archive
