Seattle Seahawks: The Seahawks named Tod Leiweke as the team's chief executive officer . Leiweke has served since 1999 as the chief operating officer of the NHL Minnesota Wild and brings to the Seahawks an extensive management background in professional sports.

Prior to his stint with the NHL team, Leiweke was executive vice president of business operations for the Vancouver Grizzlies of the NBA, vice president of marketing for the PGA Tour, and vice president of marketing for basketball's Golden State Warriors.

"Tod brings solid executive leadership skills, a fresh and strategic business perspective, and top-notch sports marketing and facility management experience to his position with the Seahawks," said Seahawks owner Paul G. Allen. "I look forward to working with him as we take the Seahawks, as a team and as a business, to the next level."

The addition of Leiweke will free up team president Bob Whitsitt to focus most of his energies now on the football operation.

--Len Pasquarelli

Arizona Cardinals: Standout linebacker Gerald Hayes, the third-round choice of the Cardinals, has signed a three-year contract with the team. The former University of Pittsburgh star was the 70th prospect selected overall in April and the fourth of the Cardinals seven picks to come to terms on a contract.

Hayes, 22, received the standard rookie minimum base salaries of $225,000 (for 2003), $305,000 (2004) and $380,000 (2005). His signing bonus has not yet been confirmed, but likely will be in the $535,000-$540,000 range.

In his four college seasons, Hayes appeared in 44 games and started 36 of them. He had 387 career tackles and went over the 100-tackle mark in each of his final three seasons for the Panthers. He had 51 tackles for losses, 13½ sacks, 17 quarterback pressures, four fumbles forced and two interceptions.

He earned All-Big East honors three straight seasons. Primarily a middle linebacker in college, Hayes may be tried at the strongside spot during training camp.

--Len Pasquarelli

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Prosecutors have officially filed charges of improper exhibition of a firearm against Bucs defensive back Dwight Smith stemming from an April incident in which he allegedly pulled out a semiautomatic handgun in an argument that ensued when he and another driver attempted to merge into the same lane.

Clearwater police originally arrested Smith on a felony charge of aggravated assault. The new charge is a lesser one, a misdemeanor, but could still result in a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. No court date has been set. Smith said that he pulled out the gun because he felt threatened by the driver with whom he was arguing.

Depending upon its resolution, the incident could make Smith subject to the league's personal conduct policy, and might bring NFL sanctions. Both the league and the Bucs have said they will make no determination on Smith's status until the matter is decided in a courtroom.

Smith, 24, had two interceptions in the Super Bowl XXXVII victory and he returned both for touchdowns. He is expected to move from cornerback to free safety in 2003, to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Dexter Jackson to Arizona in free agency.

--Len Pasquarelli

Denver Broncos: The Broncos have released cornerback Jeff Harris, a free agent who had signed with the team in January, and had been allocated to the NFL European League. Harris, 26, played for the Berlin Thunder this spring.

Originally a Miami Dolphins choice in the 2000 draft, Harris suffered a severe knee injury as a rookie and, after two surgeries, spent the year on injured reserve. He was then released in the summer of 2001. Harris had 14 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defensed while playing in NFLE this spring.

--Len Pasquarelli