Tuesday, June 7, 2005 | 10:52 a.m.
SUN WIRE SERVICES
The City Council voted 4-2 to drop its bid to bring an NFL team to the Rose Bowl early today after nearly seven hours of debate, leaving just two of four original cities among those vying to host a national franchise in greater Los Angeles.
Council members Chris Holden and Joyce Streator, the two strongest NFL supporters, conceded defeat after Councilman Steve Madison surprised many residents by voting against the proposal. Many had thought Madison, one of three swing voters on the council, would support the deal.
"I am thrilled, ecstatic, and I praise Steve for sorting it out the right way," said Sue Mossman, executive director of Pasadena Heritage, which opposed the NFL bid.
The Rose Bowl loses about $2 million annually, which is covered by subsidies from Brookside Golf Course.
The city's finance director, Jay Goldstone, issued a memo Friday stating that the NFL deal would bring $133 million in taxes, rent and cost savings to the city over the life of the 25-year lease, the Pasadena Star-News reported.
The city was believed to be asking at least $1 million in annual rent from the NFL. The Star-News reported, however, that the NFL had offered less than $325,000 in annual rent and that the difference in figures had created some doubts for council members who initially supported the plan.
Opponents argued that the NFL would bring too much traffic, displace park users from the Arroyo Seco and threaten the Rose Bowl's historic status.
Last month, Carson dropped out of the race after city officials announced they would instead focus on developing a massive retail outlet on a 157-acre property between two freeways. The two locations still in the running are a parking lot next to Angel Stadium in Anaheim and the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Dyson had 178 receptions for 2,325 yards and 18 touchdowns in parts of six seasons with Tennessee and Carolina.
Also, safety Sean Taylor, who was arrested over the weekend on a gun charge, has been excused from this month's mini-camp and the rest of the team's voluntary off-season workouts.
A former first-round pick of the Green Bay Packers, Edwards made a career-high 65 tackles in 13 starts last season.
Center Mike Flanagan said he spoke to Hunt by telephone last week, and he expects Hunt will skip the entire minicamp, which ends Thursday, because of a dispute with management.
Three days after Rick Spielman resigned after his only season as general manager of the Dolphins, coach Nick Saban tabbed former Saints GM Randy Mueller as his right-hand man.
Mueller, according to a report on ESPN.com, received a three-year contract worth between $700,000 and $800,000 per year.
Morrow, 32, spent the last two seasons with Baltimore, leading the Ravens with 21 special-teams tackles in 15 games. He has seen duty on special teams throughout his career, starting only two of 129 games.
Sanders had minor toe surgery after playing only nine games in 2004 because of toe and hamstring injuries after coming back from a three-year retirement.
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