Grbac's agent says quarterback to retire from NFL

BALTIMORE (AP) _ Elvis Grbac will retire from the NFL instead of attempt to play for another team, the quarterback's agent said Monday night. <br><br>Released by the Baltimore Ravens last week after

Tuesday, March 5th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BALTIMORE (AP) _ Elvis Grbac will retire from the NFL instead of attempt to play for another team, the quarterback's agent said Monday night.

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.

``They asked him to take a $5 million pay cut, which is totally unsatisfactory,'' Steiner said.

The Ravens signed Grbac less than three months after defeating the New York Giants in the 2001 Super Bowl. He was supposed to provide more offensive punch than his predecessor, Trent Dilfer, but his quarterback rating of 71.1 ranked 24th among NFL starters.

However, Grbac has thrown for more than 17,000 yards in his career and has 99 TD passes compared to 81 interceptions.

``Elvis is content with what he's done in the NFL,'' Steiner said, ``and he's just not ready for another disruption of his life.''