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Denver Broncos: TE Shannon Sharpe has yet to make a final decision on his retirement, but WR Rod Smith is doing his best to make sure his friend sticks around for one more year. According to the Rocky Mountain News, he hasn't talked to Sharpe personally but has been feeding the organization bits of information to persuade Sharpe to return. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve," he said. "I honestly believe in my heart of hearts that he really wants to come back, and if the situation is made a lot easier for him that he will come back."

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: With the team unable to restructure enough contracts to make room under the cap, a surprise player was released Tuesday. Along with WR Karl Williams, LB Dwayne Rudd, TE Roland Williamd and S Than Merrill, TE Ken Dilger got the axe. "This came as a shock to us," Dilger's agent, Mark Bartelstein, told the Tampa Tribune. "We're very disappointed. I mean, we feel like Ken did a great job for the Bucs. They won a Super Bowl with him." Dilger had only 56 catches in two seasons with the Bucs, but coach Jon Gruden always loves to stuff his roster with quality tight ends.

New York Jets: LB Sam Cowart still has a job in New York. The Jets decided not to release the 29-year-old veteran and will instead move him to the middle of the defense, a move he prefers. "We felt it was a fair deal for the Jets and for Sam to play the position that he's most comfortable with, to move back to the middle," Cowart's agent, Paul Healy, told the New York Times. "He feels like he can better help the team that way, too." Cowart, who will count $2.8 million against the Jets' salary cap next season, will receive a $1 million roster bonus today.

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