Eugene Parker

Controversial two-sport star Deion Sanders and the Atlanta Braves have parted ways, at least temporarily. Frustrated over lack of playing time and still grieving at his family home in Fort Myers, Fla., over the death of his father, Sanders told the Braves yesterday he will not return to the club. General manager John Schuerholz placed Sanders on the disqualified list. Schuerholz said Sanders' agent, Eugene Parker, told the Braves on Sunday that Sanders "would likely not return to the team after his bereavement leave, and as late as (yesterday)

Deion Sanders, the striking Cincinnati Reds outfielder and touring NFL free agent, will meet for a second time with Eagles officials, including owner Jeffrey Lurie, today in Atlanta. A source close to Sanders said Bob Wallace, the Eagles' legal counsel, has maintained contact with agent Eugene Parker since Lurie's early August meeting with the All-Pro cornerback. Eagles executives are not commenting on the Sanders situation. The Eagles, however, appear to be a fading longshot for Sanders' services upon the resolution of the baseball strike.

They're trying to keep this as inconspicuous as possible in Miami, but, yes, Deion Sanders will pay the Dolphins a visit Saturday night. With some free time from the Cincinnati Reds because of the strike, Prime Time and his jewelry collection will be on the sideline at Joe Robbie Stadium for the Dolphins-Tampa Bay exhibition, agent Eugene Parker confirmed today. A Florida resident, Deion's been hanging around South Florida anyway, doing a little fishing with his pal, rap star Hammer.

While no decision is forthcoming, and not likely to be made until Deion Sanders puts himself through a strenuous training regimen for the next few weeks, the future Hall of Fame cornerback is seriously considering a comeback after three seasons off the field. Sources close to Sanders confirmed for ESPN.com yesterday that one of the premier coverage defenders of his time could join the Baltimore Ravens as their nickel back. The story was first reported yesterday by the Baltimore Sun. "I never say never," Sanders said in a joint interview with the Sun and Comcast SportsNet.

New York Yankees players reacted with shock and anger when they learned of the reported $2.5-million contract Deion Sanders is poised to sign with the Yankees. Sanders, whose $250,000 contract with the Yankees expires Tuesday, is supposed to report to Atlanta Falcons camp in Suwanee, Ga., on Wednesday, but the Atlanta Journal reported that the Yankees have been negotiating furiously with Sanders' representatives to keep the centerfielder in pinstripes. In the reported deal, Sanders will receive a $1-million base salary for next season and $1 million in easily reachable incentives.

Despite salary-cap problems and Deion Sanders' nagging toe injury, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has agreed on a contract extension for the All-Pro cornerback. Jones conceded yesterday that the decision is a calculated risk. "We really don't know if he's going to play at the level we'd like for him to," Jones told reporters at Valley Ranch, where players were concluding a three-day minicamp. "But when I look at what our alternatives are and when I look at what he can bring to the table for our team this year, it's worth the risk.

The Broncos' new coach wants to bring some of his San Francisco talent to Denver, namely Pro Bowl cornerback Deion Sanders. Mike Shanahan, the Broncos' first-year coach, was the 49ers offensive coordinator. Shanahan hopes that relationship will help attract Sanders. He will do whatever possible to make sure the Broncos are in the running for Sanders this season. Shanahan started his efforts last month when he took Sanders out to lunch. Sanders was in town for a game between his Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies.

Ray Rhodes said yesterday that all-world cornerback Deion Sanders had made him a promise: If, halfway through the 1995 season, the Eagles are serious postseason contenders, Sanders will entertain an offer from team owner Jeffrey Lurie. "Right now, one of our biggest needs is a top-flight cover guy, and when Deion becomes available, hopefully he'll help us out," Rhodes said in a speech to about 75 Rotarians in his hometown here. The Eagles head coach said Sanders, now playing baseball for the Cincinnati Reds, had called him recently to talk about his plans for the 1995 football season.

Arizona coach Buddy Ryan announced yesterday that Jim McMahon would be the starting quarterback for the Cardinals' game at Cleveland on Sunday. "I looked at everything, and I thought we have to do something to win some ball games," Ryan said. "To me, this is the most positive thing we can do. Jim, I know, will take the challenge. " The Cardinals are 0-2. Steve Beuerlein is the lowest-rated quarterback (42.8) in the NFL, having hit 45 percent of his passes with three interceptions and one touchdown.

Atlanta Falcons coach June Jones said free-agent All-Pro cornerback Deion Sanders has promised he will give his former club the opportunity to match any offer he receives from another NFL club. "Basically, Deion has promised us that he'll bring us any offer he gets and see if we can match the thing," Jones said. "We're kind of operating under that assumption. " Sanders, a two-sport star who played the outfield for the Atlanta Braves before being traded to Cincinnati earlier this year, was Atlanta's No. 1 draft pick in 1989 and played with the Falcons for five seasons.

While no decision is forthcoming, and not likely to be made until Deion Sanders puts himself through a strenuous training regimen for the next few weeks, the future Hall of Fame cornerback is seriously considering a comeback after three seasons off the field. Sources close to Sanders confirmed for ESPN.com yesterday that one of the premier coverage defenders of his time could join the Baltimore Ravens as their nickel back. The story was first reported yesterday by the Baltimore Sun. "I never say never," Sanders said in a joint interview with the Sun and Comcast SportsNet.

Despite salary-cap problems and Deion Sanders' nagging toe injury, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has agreed on a contract extension for the All-Pro cornerback. Jones conceded yesterday that the decision is a calculated risk. "We really don't know if he's going to play at the level we'd like for him to," Jones told reporters at Valley Ranch, where players were concluding a three-day minicamp. "But when I look at what our alternatives are and when I look at what he can bring to the table for our team this year, it's worth the risk.

Deion Sanders, the two-sport star who played centerfield for the San Francisco Giants last season, might soon be down to one sport. Sanders was designated for assignment yesterday by the Giants. The outfielder had a $3.25 million salary last season, the last of a three-year deal he had signed with the Atlanta Braves. Sanders, who helped the San Francisco 49ers to victory in the Super Bowl last season, is now with the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him to a seven-year deal worth $35 million.

Deion Sanders has set a deadline. The two-sport star expects to decide his football future by Sept. 8, and talks yesterday between his agent and the San Francisco 49ers did not produce a contract offer. However, club president Carmen Policy said he intends to have a deal on the table for Sanders to consider by the middle of next week. Sanders, now playing baseball for the San Francisco Giants, is a football free agent. The Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins, along with the 49ers, are courting the cornerback, last season's NFL defensive player of the year while playing for Super Bowl-champion San Francisco.

The Broncos' new coach wants to bring some of his San Francisco talent to Denver, namely Pro Bowl cornerback Deion Sanders. Mike Shanahan, the Broncos' first-year coach, was the 49ers offensive coordinator. Shanahan hopes that relationship will help attract Sanders. He will do whatever possible to make sure the Broncos are in the running for Sanders this season. Shanahan started his efforts last month when he took Sanders out to lunch. Sanders was in town for a game between his Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies.

Ray Rhodes said yesterday that all-world cornerback Deion Sanders had made him a promise: If, halfway through the 1995 season, the Eagles are serious postseason contenders, Sanders will entertain an offer from team owner Jeffrey Lurie. "Right now, one of our biggest needs is a top-flight cover guy, and when Deion becomes available, hopefully he'll help us out," Rhodes said in a speech to about 75 Rotarians in his hometown here. The Eagles head coach said Sanders, now playing baseball for the Cincinnati Reds, had called him recently to talk about his plans for the 1995 football season.

Arizona coach Buddy Ryan announced yesterday that Jim McMahon would be the starting quarterback for the Cardinals' game at Cleveland on Sunday. "I looked at everything, and I thought we have to do something to win some ball games," Ryan said. "To me, this is the most positive thing we can do. Jim, I know, will take the challenge. " The Cardinals are 0-2. Steve Beuerlein is the lowest-rated quarterback (42.8) in the NFL, having hit 45 percent of his passes with three interceptions and one touchdown.

Atlanta Falcons coach June Jones said free-agent All-Pro cornerback Deion Sanders has promised he will give his former club the opportunity to match any offer he receives from another NFL club. "Basically, Deion has promised us that he'll bring us any offer he gets and see if we can match the thing," Jones said. "We're kind of operating under that assumption. " Sanders, a two-sport star who played the outfield for the Atlanta Braves before being traded to Cincinnati earlier this year, was Atlanta's No. 1 draft pick in 1989 and played with the Falcons for five seasons.

Deion Sanders, the striking Cincinnati Reds outfielder and touring NFL free agent, will meet for a second time with Eagles officials, including owner Jeffrey Lurie, today in Atlanta. A source close to Sanders said Bob Wallace, the Eagles' legal counsel, has maintained contact with agent Eugene Parker since Lurie's early August meeting with the All-Pro cornerback. Eagles executives are not commenting on the Sanders situation. The Eagles, however, appear to be a fading longshot for Sanders' services upon the resolution of the baseball strike.

They're trying to keep this as inconspicuous as possible in Miami, but, yes, Deion Sanders will pay the Dolphins a visit Saturday night. With some free time from the Cincinnati Reds because of the strike, Prime Time and his jewelry collection will be on the sideline at Joe Robbie Stadium for the Dolphins-Tampa Bay exhibition, agent Eugene Parker confirmed today. A Florida resident, Deion's been hanging around South Florida anyway, doing a little fishing with his pal, rap star Hammer.