NFL -- U.S. Goalkeeper Meola May Get His Kicks On Field Goals For Jets

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - What began as a courtesy tryout on Thursday has turned into a major career change for soccer star Tony Meola. And a boost for the New York Jets' kicking game.

The goalkeeper for the United States national team that competed in the World Cup is now a member of the NFL, thanks to his outstanding performance in front of the Jets' staff. Meola, 25, was to sign a one-year deal today and be introduced at a news conference at the team's Hofstra training facility.

The Jets had little interest in Meola before the tryout, which was requested by Meola's agent, Alan Herman. But after watching Meola make most of his field-goal attempts and place all his kickoffs inside the 5-yard line, General Manager Dick Steinberg showed plenty of interest.

Meola, he figured, could serve as a perfect complement to 38-year-old Nick Lowery, the former Kansas City kicker who signed a free-agent deal with the Jets last month. Meola's role could include long field goals as well as kickoffs.

"We had always said that we wanted to get a guy in so Nick Lowery wouldn't have to do a whole lot of kicking off," Steinberg said. "We brought (Meola) over here and gave him a pretty extensive workout. . . . It was an impressive workout."

Considering the circumstances of the workout, it was extraordinary. Meola, who once played youth football and used to dabble in field-goal kicking at the University of Virginia, hadn't kicked a football in more than a year. And he had never kicked off a one-inch tee.

"I didn't think I was going to do as well as I did that day," Meola said. "But I was real excited with what happened. I figured I'd go there and get a pointer or two (from the Jets)."

"He definitely has the potential from the standpoint of leg strength," Steinberg said. "Now, it's just a question of the mechanics and the experience of doing it with a snapper, a holder and a rush."

Meola was to sign for the NFL rookie minimum of $108,000 in base salary, plus a $7,000 signing bonus.

SHULER SKIPS PRACTICE

CARLISLE, Pa. - Heath Shuler spoke with his feet in his bid to get a $3 million-per-year contract that would make him the highest-paid rookie in this year's draft.

Shuler, the third overall selection, escalated the bargaining war with Washington when he declined to go on the field for a voluntary workout in preparation for the opening of training camp tomorrow.

The team is offering Shuler about $2.6 million per year, which is similar to the contract signed by Cincinnati defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, the first player selected in the draft.

Washington released veteran free safety Brad Edwards to clear salary-cap room so the team can sign Shuler and four other unsigned draft picks.

Edwards was offered a 65-percent cut from his $825,000 salary, but was released after he turned it down.

"Money is not the issue," Edwards said. "It's the principle. And sometimes your principle has a high price."

BILLS SIGN TOP PICK BURRIS

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - The Buffalo Bills signed No. 1 draft pick Jeff Burris, a defensive back from Notre Dame, to a four-year deal reportedly worth $2.8 million.

LIONS SIGN USC'S MORTON

PONTIAC, Mich. - The Detroit Lions signed first-round pick Johnnie Morton, a wide receiver from USC. Although terms weren't announced, the deal reportedly was worth $3.15 million for four years and included a $1.15 million signing bonus.

Morton holds the Pac-10 career record for receivers with 201 catches for 3,201 yards.

ALL-PRO WEBB GETS EXTENSION

DAVIE, Fla. - Miami Dolphin tackle Richmond Webb signed a three-year contract extension that makes him one of the highest-paid offensive linemen in the NFL.

The deal will pay Webb an average of $2.7 million per season from 1995 through 1997. He'll earn a base salary of $645,000 this year under his current contract, which expires after this season.

"It's something the Dolphins didn't have to do," Webb said. "They're showing their loyalty. It makes a player feel good when they say, `We're going to take care of you,' and I'd just like to say thank you."

Webb has played in the Pro Bowl in each of his four NFL seasons.

EAGLES SIGN TOP CHOICE

PHILADELPHIA - Bernard Williams, the Eagles' first-round draft choice, signed a five-year contract with the team.

The Eagles didn't disclose what Williams would be paid, but sources said the deal is worth $5.1 million, including a $2.125 million signing/reporting bonus.

SAN DIEGO WAIVES WHITLEY

SAN DIEGO - Charger backup offensive lineman Curtis Whitley was waived one day after he was arrested for investigation of drunken driving following an automobile accident.

NOTES

-- The Giants came to terms with waived wide receiver Mark Jackson and rescinded their tender offer to restricted wide receiver Ed McCaffrey.

-- The Falcons signed offensive lineman Lance Zeno, who played for Tampa Bay and Green Bay last season.

-- The Arizona Cardinals signed defensive tackle Michael Bankston to a three-year, $2 million contract and claimed defensive ends Michael Brandon from Indianapolis, and Darryl Milburn from New Orleans, on waivers.

-- Merle Hapes, a New York Giants fullback who was barred from the NFL championship game in 1946 in a gambling scandal, died from complications associated with Alzheimer's disease. He was 75. Hapes and Frank Filchock, another Giants back, admitted they had been offered bribes by a gambler to fix the championship game with the Chicago Bears. They denied accepting the money, said to be $2,500 and $1,000 each.

Compiled from Newsday, Baltimore Sun, Associated Press and Gannett News Services.