Unwilling to accept a secondary role with the Buffalo Bills, quarterback Drew Bledsoe is seeking a new team for another shot at being a starter.
Granting Bledsoe's request to be cut, the Bills announced Wednesday they will waive the 12-year veteran Feb. 22, the first day NFL teams are allowed to officially release players. The decision came after the Bills informed him last week of their plans to give the starting job to J.P. Losman, Buffalo's second of two first-round draft choices last year.
"I completely disagree and can't understand their point of view," Bledsoe said during a conference call from his home in Oregon. "Do I think this is fair? No, I don't think it's fair. But I'm also aware that that's how it works, and I understand that."
And it's nothing against Losman.
"I just don't see myself being a backup in this league," Bledsoe said. "If it comes to that, you'll probably see me just tip my hat and head back to the Northwest."
TITAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT ON WIFE: Tennessee Titans cornerback Samari Rolle was arrested and charged with assaulting his wife on Valentine's Day, police said.
Rolle's wife, Danisha, was treated for a minor cut over her left eye and released from Baptist Hospital in Nashville two days ago, according to a press release from the Brentwood, Tennessee, Police Department.
Hospital officials contacted police, and a warrant was obtained against Rolle, the report said. Rolle, 28, surrendered to police Tuesday on a misdemeanor charge of simple assault. He was released after posting $1,000 bond, the police report said.
SEAHAWKS SIGN JONES: The Seattle Seahawks signed all-pro offensive tackle Walter Jones to a seven-year contract worth more than $50 million on Wednesday.
Jones' agent, Roosevelt Barnes, would not give specific figures but said the contract includes a signing bonus of more than $15 million and total bonuses of more than $20 million.
Jones' signing allows Seattle to use the franchise player designation on one of its other prime free agents, most likely either running back Shaun Alexander or quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
GIANTS HIRE LB COACH:Bill Sheridan, an assistant coach at Michigan for the past three seasons, was hired by the New York Giants Wednesday as their linebackers' coach. Sheridan replaces Bill Davis, who left after one season to become the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.
BEARS HIRE LINE COACH: The Chicago Bears hired former UCLA assistant coach Don Johnson as the team's defensive line coach Wednesday. Johnson replaces Karl Dunbar, who left the Bears after last season to become the assistant head coach at LSU.
MITCHELL RETIRES A REDSKIN: In 14 NFL seasons, Brian Mitchell specialized in returns. So it was fitting that he returned to Washington to retire as a Redskin five years after a bitter exit. The NFL's leading career-return man signed a one-day contract with Washington, enabling him to retire in the city where he achieved most of his success.
"I had animosity, but I always knew this is what I would do," Mitchell said Wednesday. Mitchell, who last played in 2003 with the New York Giants, is second behind only Jerry Rice in combined yardage with 22,330. Rice has 23,546 yards.