PONTIAC, Mich. -- Herman Moore's days with the Detroit Lions could be nearing an end.
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The Detroit Free Press reported on Wednesday that it appears the Lions are prepared to part company with their all-time leading receiver -- possibly by the end of the week.
Team president Matt Millen told the newspaper he wants to talk one more time with Moore. The Lions have asked Moore to take a significant pay cut -- from $3.295 million to $1 million. Moore has rejected the proposal.
"It wouldn't have any point to linger," Millen told the Free Press. "If he says, 'I'm not taking a cut,' then we'll figure out what's best for him, talk to him about it, see what he wants to do, and then do it.
"If he wants to be released right away, fine. Whatever he wants to do is fine with me."
Moore was a no-show
Wednesday as the Lions began their second minicamp.
"I wish Herman were here," coach Marty Mornhinweg said. "I
like Herman as a person, I like him as a player. I know he can
still play this game. So who knows?"
Meanwhile, Millen said he no longer is optimistic about signing Jerry Rice.
"My feeling is that he probably will try to stay on the West Coast," Millen said, "but we should get that cleared up within the next few days." Oakland and Seattle have shown interest in signing the 49ers star receiver.
Moore has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times, three as a
starter, but his production has slipped the past two seasons.
The 6-foot-4, 224-pounder had 40 receptions for 434 yards and
three touchdowns last season and 16 catches for 197 yards and two
touchdowns in an injury-plagued 1999 season.
Moore set an NFL record with 123 receptions in 1995, then caught
106 the next year and 104 in 1997. He became the fastest player in
NFL history to 600 receptions, which he did during his eighth
season, after 118 games.
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