Peete hired as co-host of sports show

Tuesday, April 19, 2005 | 8:56 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

Rodney Peete's 16-year NFL career came to an end Monday when Fox Sports Net hired the quarterback as a regular co-host on "Best Damn Sports Show Period."

Peete began his new job Monday, said network spokesman Lou D'Ermilio.

"We had conversations with Rodney over a period of time, but he had a to make a decision whether or not he wanted to come back and play," D'Ermilio said. "I believe he came to that decision last week."

The 39-year-old Peete was released by the Panthers in February in a salary-cap move, but team officials had been hoping to re-sign him at a smaller contract as a backup.

A restricted free agent, McKinney started all 16 games at center last season, the only Miami offensive lineman to do so.

Metcalf has played in 33 games, seven of them starts, since the Bears took him in the third round of the 2002 draft. He had his best season last year, playing in a career-high 13 games and starting the final five at left guard.

Tucker only played 11 games since 2001 because of injuries, and has finished each of the last three seasons on injured reserve.

He signed with San Francisco that fall and spent the past four seasons with the 49ers.

He ended last season as the team's No. 2 quarterback behind Brett Favre after backup Doug Pederson broke a rib Oct. 3 and went on injured reserve.

The new broadcast deal also brings the NFL to NBC for the first time since 1997. The network gets Sunday night football and will employ a flexible scheduling model.