Grbac ready to retire rather than relocate

BALTIMORE -- Elvis Grbac will retire from the NFL instead of attempt to play for another team, the quarterback's agent said.

Released by the Baltimore Ravens last week after rejecting a restructured contract, Grbac turned down a proposal from the Cincinnati Bengals over the weekend. He told his agent, Jim Steiner, he was ready to quit football.

"He is going to retire," Steiner said in a phone interview. "He's got family issues. The thought of making an additional move was not appealing to him. ... He's had a great run in the NFL, and he just feels like it's time."

Grbac, his wife and the couple's three children live in Cleveland. Although Cincinnati is relatively close and the Bengals made what Steiner termed a "very satisfying offer," the quarterback was not willing to relocate for the fourth time in his career and third time in three years.

Grbac left the Kansas City Chiefs last year to join the Ravens, who signed the Pro Bowl free agent to a five-year, $30 million contract. But Grbac struggled in his first season in Baltimore -- finishing with 18 interceptions compared to 15 touchdown passes -- and the salary-cap-conscious Ravens subsequently asked him to rework his contract.

Robinson leaves Rams

ST. LOUIS -- After five seasons with the St. Louis Rams, tight end and deep snapper Jeff Robinson agreed Monday to a four-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys.

The deal appears to be worth $4.8 million, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and The Dallas Morning News reported.

"It's a great opportunity for him to be a starter," Rams coach Mike Martz said.

Robinson, 32, signed with the Rams in 1997 as an unrestricted free agent from the Denver Broncos, two years before converting from a backup defensive end who rarely played to a tight end.

Last season, the nine-year NFL veteran caught 11 passes for 108 yards and one touchdown. As deep snapper, Robinson was the Rams' special teams captain.

Blank looks at Bucs GM

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Five weeks after taking charge of the Atlanta Falcons, owner Arthur Blank still hasn't hired a general manager.

Even after spending four hours with Tampa Bay personnel director Tim Ruskell, Blank has yet to make anyone a formal offer.

"You just need to understand your organization, what the deficiencies are, where the strengths need to be shored up and do a good match in that respect," Blank said Monday.

"This is an area of our business, if you will, that needs some work. Our record speaks for itself in that regard."

Ruskell's boss was Blank's first choice, but Rich McKay signed a six-year contract Feb. 21 to remain as the Buccaneers' general manager. Blank, the Home Depot co-founder who paid $545 million for the Falcons, then began asking longtime NFL business associates for other recommendations.

-- From wire services