Veterans Stadium Tackles Field Conversion Again

Veterans Stadium workers in Philadelphia raced the clock to convert the field from baseball to football in time for Thursday’s Eagle game against the New York Jets.

This will be the first football game at the stadium since a botched conversion forced the cancellation of an Eagle-Raven exhibition game Aug. 13.

In the weeks since, officials tweaked the stadium’s drainage system and developed a plan to add a layer of asphalt beneath the turf for football games.

Eagle spokesman Ron Howard said the team is monitoring the field conversion and is confident it will be done on time. All work must be complete by this morning when the Eagles and Jets work out.

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Atlanta Falcon linebacker Jessie Tuggle, a 14-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowl selection, announced his retirement.

Tuggle, the NFL’s leading tackler among active players, left open the slight possibility that he might join another team under the right circumstances. But he also made it clear he would prefer to be remembered for playing with only one organization.

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Former Dallas Cowboy Erik Williams signed with the Baltimore Ravens to help fill the hole caused by the injury to Leon Searcy, who will be out until at least October with a torn triceps. Williams signed a one-year, $500,000 deal.

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The Chicago Bears cut veterans Bobby Engram, Thomas Smith and Clyde Simmons.

Engram, the team’s second-round draft pick in 1996, ranks seventh on the Bears’ career receptions list and 13th in receiving yards. Simmons, 37, played defensive end for 15 years, the last two for the Bears.

Smith, a cornerback, came to the Bears last year in free agency from Buffalo for $22.5 million over five years. He lost his starting job to R.W. McQuarters last week.

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Fullback Howard Griffith was placed on injured reserve and will miss the season after the Denver Broncos decided they could no longer wait to see if he recovers from a neck injury.

Tests revealed Griffith had a pinched nerve exiting the spinal column near his neck, and doctors said, with treatment, the problem could be alleviated within eight weeks. Retirement also is an option.

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The Miami Dolphins waived rookie quarterback Josh Heupel, the runner-up for the 2000 Heisman Trophy. Miami acquired quarterback Cade McNown from the Chicago Bears last week for two draft picks, making Heupel expendable. ... The Dallas Cowboys cut veteran receivers Chris Brazzell and Jason Tucker, and acquired Darrin Chiaverini from the Cleveland Browns for a conditional draft pick and were awarded receiver Anthony Lucas on a waiver claim from Green Bay. ... The Giants will give tryouts to kickers Morten Andersen, the NFL’s third-leading scorer, and Brad Daluiso.