Lyle Alzado's dream of returning to the NFL at the age of 41 ended Tuesday when the Los Angeles Raid NFL campsers announced his retirement.
Alzado was among the NFL's top defensive ends from 1971-85 with Denver, Cleveland and the Raiders. After working in movies and television, he announced last spring that he wanted to play again.The comeback seemed destined to fail from the start when a pulled calf muscle and a knee injury kept him out of training camp drills. Alzado underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on July 27. He did get back on the field for 20 plays for the Raiders against the Chicago Bears in Friday night's 20-3 victory.
"I worked long and hard, I tried my best," Alzado said. "I was very well-prepared and I like to believe that I proved to everybody that I can play and perform.
"I said I believed I was still capable of helping the team and capable of playing for two or three years. He (Raiders managing general partner Al Davis) said he believes that also, but they wanted to build with some of the younger players."
Alzado went on the reserve-retired list on a day when eight other players were released as the Raiders reached the roster limit of 60 players. The final cut to 47 players comes next Monday.
"It was unfortunate Lyle got hurt and had to have the surgery," Raiders coach Art Shell said. "It was tough enough coming back from the time off, but then to get hurt made it that much tougher."
Alzado met with Davis on Monday night and the two agreed to announce Alzado's re-retirement.
Two NFL veterans, wide receiver Rod Barksdale and defensive end-linebacker Emanuel King, were among other players cut Tuesday by the Raiders. King underwent knee surgery recently and was waived after reaching a settlement with the team.
Also released were tight end Demetrius Davis, a 12th-round draft choice from Nevada-Reno, defensive back Marcus Wilson, a sixth-round pick from Virginia as well as linebacker Joe Cormier from Southern California, wide receiver Keith McDonald of San Jose State, running back Doug Lloyd from North Dakota and defensive tackle David Caldwell from Texas Christian.
Colts
While most teams cut down, the Indianapolis Colts are happy that Eric Dickerson will show up.
At least to take another physical.
Dickerson, who failed an examination after arriving late for training camp, will have his injured left hamstring looked at again today, according to his agent.
"We have talked to Colts general manager Jim Irsay and told him that Eric will be there and is coming back to pass his physical and to fulfill his contract obligation," Leigh Steinberg said Tuesday. "Eric attempted to report earlier and was ready to start preparing for the 1990 season when the club determined that he had a non-football injury."
Should Dickerson pass, he can begin working out with the team, if the Colts don't decide to unload the often-unhappy running back. Dickerson criticized his offensive line for not protecting him and threatened to retire rather than play for Indianapolis again.
Steinberg said he had no information of a deal involving his client, who is scheduled to earn $1.45 million in the final year of his contract.
"I believe if a trade was in the air, I would know about it," Steinberg said.
Neither Irsay nor Coach Ron Meyer would comment on Dickerson's situation.
Packers
Tom Braatz, Green Bay's executive vice president for football operations, rejected a proposal which would have made holdout quarterback Don Majkowski an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Bob Woolf, the attorney for Majkowsck's agent Randy Vataha.
Braatz quickly turned it down.
"This is the same request that Lawrence Taylor and his agent Joe Courrege made of the New York Giants last week," Braatz said. "George Young, the Giants general manager, replied, `I do not want to be named winner of the mayor's dumb bell of the year award,' in turning down the request.
"The same answer applies in Green Bay. The Vataha-Woolf proposal is rejected."
Bills
Guard Will Wolford agreed to terms and came to camp. Wolford, a starter in every non-strike game for Buffalo since being a first-round pick in 1986, reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth an average of $700,000 a year.
Browns
Tackle Paul Farren, who started 13 games last season, agreed to a contract, but linebackers Clay Matthews and Mike Johnson and defensive backs Frank Minniefield and Felix Wright remain holdouts. Fullback Tim Manoa was placed on injured reserve and lost for the season.
Redskins
Three potential regulars, offensive lineman Mark May, defensive end Jumpy Geathers and defensive back A.J. Johnson were all placed on the physically unable to perform list, allowing them to return after the fourth week of the season. The Redskins also waived running back Reggie Dupard, a one-time No. 1 choice in New England.
Saints
New Orleans cut ninth-year quarterback Dave Wilson and put together an injury settlement to waive former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Brad Edelman.
Wilson, a No. 1 draft choice in 1981, had asked to be released, saying he did not figure in the team's plans. Edelman, a Pro Bowl starter at guard in 1987, ruptured his right biceps three weeks ago and will be sidelined for at least six weeks.
Chiefs
All-Pro safety Deron Cherry, still recovering from a knee injury, was placed on the non-football injury list.
Broncos
Offensive lineman Monte Smith and cornerback Le-Lo Lang were placed on the non-football injury reserve list.
Smith will be sidelined for the season after accidentally shooting himself in the foot while cleaning a gun last Tuesday.
Falcons
Atlanta placed free agent wide receiver Titus Dixon on injured reserve. Dixon injured his right knee in Saturday's win over Green Bay.
Chargers
San Diego obtained a two-week roster exemption for first-round draft pick Junior Seau, who signed Monday, meaning he won't count against the 60-player limit.
Free-agent punter Keith English, who has averaged 41.7 yards in preseason, was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for an undisclosed draft choice.
Seahawks
Quarterback Rusty Hilger, who has played for the Raiders, Bills and Lions, was waived by the Seahawks, who also acquired offensive lineman Ronnie Lee from the Atlanta. The Falcons get a draft choice in return.
Vikings
Jim Gustafson, a key third-down receiver for the last four years, was placed on injured reserve with a nerve problem in his neck, and will miss the season.
Patriots
Defensive end Gary Jeter, second on the team with seven sacks last season, was one of five players released. Sixth-year safety Jim Bowman and ninth-year linebacker Bruce Scholtz were also cut.