Friday, March 3, 2000

Cowboys sign cornerback McNeil to replace Deion
By JAIME ARON
AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) — Cornerback Ryan McNeil, who led the NFL with nine interceptions in 1997 but didn't have any last season, signed Thursday with the Dallas Cowboys.

By doing so, he accepted a big challenge: replacing Deion Sanders, who is expected to be released in June.

Terms were not immediately available, but McNeil, who made $1.8 million last season in Cleveland, will certainly be cheaper than Sanders, who would count $12.7 million against the salary cap if he's retained.

Dallas also had considered longtime New York Giants cornerback Phillipi Sparks, who remains on the market, and DeRon Jenkins, who signed last week with San Diego.

McNeil, who also spoke to the Giants and San Francisco, will be playing for his fourth team in eight years and his third in as many seasons.

McNeil came into the league with Detroit in 1993 as a second-round pick from Miami. He signed with the St. Louis Rams in 1997 and set career-highs for interceptions and tackles (78).

But in 1998 his interception total plummeted to one and his tackles dropped to 54. He again became a free agent and spent last season with the Browns.

While McNeil may not cover as well as Sanders, he's certainly more durable. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound cornerback has missed only two games in his career, both in 1994.

This is Dallas' second big move this offseason, along with the acquisition of receiver Joey Galloway.

Several Cowboys have been lost in free agency, with the biggest hole opened at backup quarterback. Scott Mitchell is among the players being considered.