Mirer Benefits as the Jets Waive Zolak

New York Jet Coach Bill Parcells terminated the contract of quarterback Scott Zolak on Sunday, effectively handing the team’s backup job to newly acquired Rick Mirer.

The move came two days after the club obtained Mirer from the Packers for a conditional selection in next year’s draft. Zolak, a nine-year veteran in his first year with the Jets, played poorly in Friday’s 10-9 exhibition win over the Eagles.

“It’s a better opportunity for him to let him go now,” Parcells said.

Zolak completed 10 of 22 passes for 90 yards against Philadelphia. The former Patriot backup, who signed a one-year, $400,000 deal with the Jets in April, was not available for comment.

Having plenty to say Sunday was Mirer, who admitted to being stunned when Green Bay traded him to the Jets. The seventh-year player, drafted second overall by Seattle in 1993, is with his fourth team in the past four years.

“I’ve been dealt a pretty bad hand, and I’ve tried to do the best I could in the position I was in,” Mirer, 29, said.

“I think when you go through hard times, you learn a lot. To survive that stuff, I think it helps your character. It’s important to keep your head up.”

*

The hamstring injury that New York Giant cornerback Jason Sehorn sustained a week before training camp continues to heal slowly and he will miss another week or two, Coach Jim Fassel said.

Sehorn has spent most of training camp working with trainers while the team practiced. This past week, he has been doing agility drills, mostly running around cones and jumping side to side over prone tackling pads.

“I think he kind of pulled a little scar tissue, which is not bad,” Fassel said. “But it can give him a sensation.”

Fassel said the team is going to be cautious with Sehorn, who missed all of last season after injuring a knee while returning a kick in an exhibition game against the Jets.

*

Having traveled some 6,000 miles to work his way into the Miami Dolphin offense, Tony Martin returns to court today to hear his lawyers present his long-awaited defense.

And with three character witnesses expected to take the stand in Martin’s trial on federal money-laundering charges, some teammates may be coming to the veteran receiver’s aid.

Martin’s attorneys told U.S. District Judge Michael K. Moore last week that the witnesses were unavailable for testimony last Friday because they were in San Diego for workouts and an exhibition game.

Martin is being tried alongside Rickey Brownlee, who served seven years in prison for two 1980s drug convictions, in a case centering on Brownlee’s alleged drug activities from 1994 to 1997.

*

Cincinnati Bengal safety Kelvin Moore was in stable condition Sunday at a hospital in Pontiac, Mich., two days after he broke a vertebra in his neck while making a tackle in an exhibition game against the Lions.

Moore has feeling in his arms and legs and is expected to make “an excellent recovery,” team Dr. Robert Heidt Jr. said. There’s no way to tell whether Moore will ever play again.

Also Sunday, the Bengals waived wide receiver Tommie Boyd and defensive end Donald Broomfield.

*

The Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed to the Associated Press that the handling of retired offensive tackle Will Wolford’s contract is being investigated by the NFL for possible salary cap violations and could subject them to a fine or the loss of draft picks. No details were given.