Rams acquire, trade backup QBs

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The St. Louis Rams solidified their backup quarterback position yesterday when they picked up Jamie Martin, who was cut a day earlier by Jacksonville, while veteran Bubby Brister lost his job with Kansas City, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waived Ryan Leaf, and last year's Heisman Trophy-winner, Chris Weinke, officially got Carolina's starting job.

The Rams traded Joe Germaine to Kansas City for a sixth-round draft choice. That, in turn, led to the Chiefs releasing Brister, who at 39 had been the oldest active quarterback in the NFL.

In Tampa Bay, Leaf was released when the Bucs claimed receiver Milton Wynn off waivers from the Rams.

Leaf, the second pick in the 1998 draft behind Peyton Manning, was unable to beat out Joe Hamilton for the Bucs' third-string quarterback job.

Leaf completed 7 of 19 passes for 81 yards with one interception in four games.

In Charlotte, coach George Seifert made it official: Weinke will open for Carolina in Minnesota on Sunday. Weinke won the job by default after Jeff Lewis, the projected starter, was a bust in training camp and was released.

"I didn't know for sure because there always could be a trade or anything could have happened," Seifert said.

"But we watch him in practice, we watch him interact, we watch him in games and you put all that information in and talk about it as an organization and everyone felt the same way and thought it was the right way to go."

The Rams' dealing was part of a day of maneuvering 24 hours after the 31 NFL teams cut rosters to 53. Many of the cuts were forced by the salary cap, leaving more attractive players available.

For example, safety Devin Bush, who started 12 games for St. Louis last season, was picked up off waivers by Cleveland.

"I don't know what happened," Bush said. "I was shocked. I haven't been in this kind of situation before. But it's the NFL. Things change fast. I'm very surprised."

Martin is likely to be the backup to Kurt Warner after he learns the system. Warner was hurt twice last season and without him, the Rams' offense wasn't the same.

STEELERS

• XFL MVP will be backup QB: The XFL is gone and may soon be forgotten, but it lives on in Pittsburgh.

Tommy Maddox is back in the NFL, and he has the XFL to thank for it.

Maddox begins the season Sunday as a backup to Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart — perhaps as No. 2, although coach Bill Cowher will wait to choose between Maddox and second-year pro Tee Martin once practice resumes tomorrow.

Maddox has not thrown an NFL regular-season pass since 1995.

He spent three years away from football, then returned by playing in the Arena League.

Maddox was 19-of-35 for 244 yards and two touchdowns in the exhibition season.

"He was a little sporadic, but you saw enough that you said, 'Wow,' " Cowher said. "He's very solid. I feel comfortable with the experience he has. He's played in this league."

Maddox recently led the Los Angeles Xtreme to a 9-3 regular season record and the XFL title.

"I didn't know what was going to happen when I came here," Maddox said. "I saw it as an opportunity to play again and to possibly get back in the NFL again. I'm just relieved and excited I'm back."

REDSKINS

• Green ready to retire: Darrell Green will announce today that this season will be his last. On the same day, he'll learn whether his final season will be spent as a starter.

A source close to Green, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that the oldest player ever to play cornerback in the NFL will make his retirement announcement at an afternoon news conference today at Redskins Park.

Green, 41, has been in a three-way battle with Donovan Greer and second-round draft pick Fred Smoot, and Smoot seemed to have the edge after the final exhibition game.

Coach Marty Schottenheimer has said the competition is wide open, even though Greer has only three career starts and Smoot is a rookie.

JETS

• Martin signs: New York, looking for a nose tackle to replace the injured Jason Ferguson, signed veteran free agent Steve Martin.

Martin, a 6-foot-4, 319-pounder, played with Kansas City last season. He also played with Philadelphia and Indianapolis.

The Jets signed the 27-year-old Martin to a one-year deal that could be worth $625,000 if all incentives are reached.

COLTS

• Smith expected to sign: Cornerback Thomas Smith, released last week by Chicago, is expected to sign with Indianapolis.

Smith has spent eight seasons in the NFL, seven with the Bills before signing with Chicago in 2000.

Smith started all 16 games for the Bears last season, producing 82 tackles.