The Associated Press

ST. LOUIS - Kurt Warner's storybook stay with the St. Louis Rams ended Tuesday, but he's unlikely to be out of work for long.

The release of the two-time NFL MVP, who led the Rams to two Super Bowls, leaves Marc Bulger as the team's No. 1 quarterback. Bulger took over as the starter for good after Warner fumbled six times in last year's season opener.

That game was against the New York Giants, the team likely to sign Warner to ease rookie Eli Manning's transition to the NFL. Warner has not started and won a regular-season game since 2001, going 0-6 in 2002 and losing that one game last season.

"I think there's a lot of mixed emotions," Warner's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said of the player's release. "He's had so much success and such a great relationship with everyone in St. Louis."

Bartelstein said four or five teams remained in the running for Warner's services, although most signs point to him signing with New York. He expected Warner would sign by the end of the week.

Warner, who turns 33 on June 22, led the Rams to Super Bowls in 1999 and 2001 but has been plagued by injuries since.

By waiting to cut Warner, the Rams will spread their salary cap hit over two years instead of one. He'll cost them $4.6 million this year and $6.7 million in 2005. His was due a $9.5 million salary this year.

Warner, undrafted out of Northern Iowa but an Arena League star, got the Rams' starting quarterback job in 1999 after Trent Green was injured in the preseason. Warner led the NFL with 41 touchdown passes, helping the team finish 13-3, and was the Super Bowl MVP after a 23-16 win over Tennessee.

In 2001, Warner led the Rams to a 14-2 record, although St. Louis lost to underdog New England in the Super Bowl.

JETS: Vinny Testaverde's six-year stay with the team is over.

By cutting the 17-year veteran Tuesday, the Jets will save $1.5 million on this year's cap. In 2005, Testaverde will count for $4 million.

Testaverde thanked the team for the opportunity to continue his career elsewhere in a statement released through his agent, Michael Azzarelli. The 40-year-old Testaverde is high on the list in Dallas, where he would play for his former coach, Bill Parcells. Another team that could make a pitch is AFC East rival New England.

"I appreciate the Jets allowing me to move on with my career," Testaverde said in a statement.

Testaverde made it clear last season he didn't want to stick around as a No. 3 quarterback.

In 1998, he made the Pro Bowl and guided the Jets to the AFC title game with Parcells at the helm. But he tore his Achilles' tendon in the first game of the next season.

In 2001, Testaverde led the Jets to a 10-6 record and a wild-card playoff berth. But after that, his age began to show. And it was clear he didn't fit in with the team's West Coast-style offense.

Testaverde lost his starting job to Chad Pennington early in the 2002 season. When Pennington broke his wrist last summer, Testaverde took over and went 2-5, becoming the ninth NFL quarterback to top 40,000 career yards, before Pennington returned.

CARDINALS: Defensive tackle Marcus Bell, who started nine games last season, was among five players released by Arizona.

Also cut were defensive tackle Barron Tanner, tight end Steve Bush, defensive back Justin Lucas and quarterback Preston Parsons.

JAGUARS: Jacksonville signed defensive end Tony Brackens to a one-year contract, bringing back the team's top career pass rusher.

Brackens, who was released earlier this year for salary cap reasons, is coming back from surgery on his right knee. He led the team with six sacks last year and brought his career total to 55 over eight seasons.

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