Enquirer news services

Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger dispelled Internet reports that football coach Jim Tressel is a long-shot candidate for the vacant San Francisco 49ers position.

Tressel's name came up because of his 15 years as coach of Youngstown State. Owner Denise DeBartolo York and her husband, John York, run the 49ers, and the home office of the DeBartolo Corp. remains in Youngstown, Ohio.

Geiger said Thursday he has not been contacted by the 49ers for permission to interview Tressel.

"There's nothing to it," Geiger said. "I asked (Tressel) about it and he said, 'No way.'"

RAIDERS: Amy Trask, Oakland's chief executive, dismissed the Super Bowl's liveliest rumor, saying owner Al Davis is in good health and has no plans to retire.

"He's not retiring," Trask said. "He will continue to lead this team as he always has, and his personal achievements and contributions to the game of football will continue."

If the Raiders win, Davis will join the late Art Rooney of Pittsburgh with four Super Bowl victories, one behind the owners' record of five by San Francisco's Eddie DeBartolo.

Oakland wide receiver Tim Brown speculated earlier this week that Davis might retire if the Raiders win. That prompted talk that Davis, 74, might not be in the best of health.

"Al is fine," said Willie Brown, the Raiders' director of squad development. "He's still lifting weights and walking every day."

PRO BOWL: Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick and Kansas City running back Priest Holmes pulled out of the NFL's Feb. 2 all-star game because of injuries, joining Brett Favre, Randy Moss and Ahman Green. Vick has a bunion on his right foot, and Holmes has a sore right hip.

STEELERS: Running back Antwon McCray, offensive lineman Dave Costa and fullback Wes Ours signed with Pittsburgh.

McCray spent part of this season on the Steelers' practice squad.

Costa played in 14 games with the 49ers in 2001 before being cut before last season.

Ours made the Colts' 2001 opening day roster as a rookie free agent but was later cut. He also spent time with the Titans before rejoining the Colts, who cut him during training camp last summer.

COLTS: Indianapolis signed former first-round draft pick Jim Druckenmiller and kicker Brett Conway as free agents Thursday.

Druckenmiller, a quarterback, was drafted by San Francisco in 1997 but started just one game. The 49ers traded him to Miami in September 1999, but he was waived in August 2000 and has not played in the NFL since.

Druckenmiller is 21-of-52 for 231 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions in his career.

Conway was a third-round draft pick of the Packers in 1997 but was injured during the preseason. He played for Washington in 1998 and 1999, then Redskins, Oakland and New York Jets in 2000. Conway rejoined the Redskins in 2001 and played one game.

In his career, Conway has made 55 of 72 field goals and 83 of 84 extra points.

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