While Dan McGwire, Pat Harlow, Bobby Wilson and Huey Richardson are preparing for their first NFL seasons, former Pro Bowlers Mike Quick and Mark Bavaro must begin getting used to life without football this year.
McGwire, Harlow, Richardson and Wilson, all selected in the first round of the college draft this spring, signed contracts Monday and were headed for training camp.Meanwhile, Quick, a former No. 1 pick who's been troubled with leg injuries over the past three seasons, announced his retirement from the Philadelphia Eagles. And the New York Giants put Bavaro, the starting tight end on both of their Super Bowl teams, on the waived-failed physical list due to an ailing left knee.
Ironically, Bavaro's replacement on the roster is Zeke Mowatt, the man he replaced as the starter in 1985 when Mowatt's knee was torn up in a preseason game.
Waiving the 28-year-old Bavaro saves the Giants $685,000. That's the difference between his $750,000 contract and the $65,000 he gets as an injury protection benefit.
To replace Bavaro, the Giants signed Mowatt, the former New England tight end who last season was fined $14,500 for his part in the sexual harassment of sports writer Lisa Olson. Mowatt spent seven seasons with the Giants before the Patriots signed him last year.
Bavaro's future had been in doubt since February when he underwent surgery on the knee for avascular necrosis. The condition results when blood flow to an area ceases, causing bone decay. He was examined Friday by Dr. Russell Warren, and Handley said the Giants' team physician advised Bavaro that the 1991 season was out and that he should not play again.
Bavaro, 28, read a prepared two-page statement, saying he agreed with Warren's assessment for this year, but he was not giving up hope of playing in 1992.
Quick was an All-Pro from 1983-87, but that was before a broken leg in 1988, surgery on both knees in 1989 and a torn tendon in his right quadricep last year.
"I have no other choice," said Quick, 32. "I can't go to training camp and work now because of my physical condition. So I have to move on."
Seahawks McGwire, the first quarterback selected in the draft and the 16th player chosen, signed a three-year contract with Seattle reportedly worth $3 million.
In two seasons at San Diego State, the 6-foot-8, 243-pound McGwire completed 528 of 889 passes for 7,484 yards, 43 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.
Redskins
There was no indication that projected starting quarterback Mark Rypien, who's unsigned, will report before next week. Negotiations with Rypien's agent are continuing.
Steelers
Pittsburgh signed Richardson, a linebacker from the University of Florida picked 15th, to a four-year contract worth about $2.8 million.
Packers
Green Bay signed quarterback Don Majkowski, a training camp holdout last year, to a contract his agent says is worth $1.7 million and $1.75 million in base salary plus $300,000 to $500,000 in incentives.
Oilers
Houston signed six of its 11 draft picks. The first five players chosen by the Oilers - three in the second round and two in the fourth - are still unsigned.
Chargers
San Diego opened camp Monday without knowing whether running back Marion Butts will report with the veterans on Wednesday. Butts, who has promised to hold out unless his contract is renegotiated after rushing for a club-record 1,125 yards last season, met with GM Bobby Beathard on Monday.
Bears
Chicago may be without starting quarterback Jim Harbaugh when training camp opens today. He's among six veterans who are still unsigned.