After being cut by the San Diego Chargers, Natrone Means talked about joining the Carolina Panthers, one of the NFL's 1995 expansion teams. He wound up with the other one.
Means, a native of North Carolina, figured he might sign on with the Panthers. Instead, it was the Jacksonville Jaguars who grabbed the three-year veteran running back and star of San Diego's run to the 1995 Super Bowl.By claiming the 23-year-old Means off waivers Monday, the Jaguars have to assume the four-year, $7.3 million contract he signed last summer after an 11-day holdout.
Means will only count $1.6 million against the Jaguars' salary cap because the Chargers have to pay the pro-rated portion of his signing bonus - $743,000. Jacksonville will then pay Means $2.175 million in '97 and $2.425 million in '98.
"Natrone is just elated to have this whole process behind him and to start playing football again," said Sean Holley, Means' agent.
Means made the Pro Bowl in the 1994 season after rushing for 1,350 yards. But a groin injury cost him half of last season, and when the Chargers signed free agent defensive end Marco Coleman, they had to make salary cap room. So they cut Means.
The Jaguars were led in rushing last year by James Stewart, who had 525 yards on 137 carries.
Chris Miller got a taste of what Means felt last week when he was cut by St. Louis.
Miller sustained his fifth concussion in 14 months during the season. Since then, he consulted with a neuropsychologist, three neurosurgeons and the team physician of the New York Jets, and they all recommended he not play.
He won't be in uniform this season, he said, but isn't officially retiring.
"I know I still have a lot of throws left in my arm," Miller said. "I just want to leave that window of opportunity open for later.
"Maybe if I got a cement helmet or something, I'd be all right."
Miller said his headaches have mostly subsided since the Dec. 3 injury occurred when he bumped helmets with Marvin Washington of the Jets. Tests have shown his brain can't process information quickly, however, and he said he's also having trouble recalling information at times.
A nine-year veteran, Miller's injury-plagued career also has included severe knee injuries and a pinched nerve in his neck.
Mark Rypien, who started the last three games last season, is a free agent. However, the Rams have matching rights and want to re-sign him.
Re-signing with Buffalo was star running back Thurman Thomas, 29. He signed a three-year contract extension that will pay Thomas a little more than $9 million in the next four seasons, including a $2.3 million signing bonus.
The tinkering with his contract immediately saves the Bills a little more than $2 million in salary cap money.
Thomas has seven straight seasons of rushing for more than 1,000 yards.
"I feel like I'm 25, like I have 4-5 good years left," said Thomas, who gained 1,005 yards last season. "I feel like I've learned to work out in a way to keep in good condition."
Miami's receiving corps is in better condition after the Dolphins signed Fred Barnett away from Philadelphia for a five-year, $8.5 million contract.