NFL OWNERS TO DISCUSS EXPANSION DRAFT AND REALIGNMENT

     NFL owners meet in Dallas tomorrow for two days of
discussions on stocking expansion teams and realignment.  The
league office is expected to offer a stocking plan in which each
of the 28 clubs leaves seven players unprotected.  The league
plan allows for a maximum of three players to be taken from a
team.  Jacksonville proposed that each team leave at least one
quarterback exposed, but the league office dismissed that
proposal (Will McDonough, BOSTON GLOBE, 9/25).  The owners are
also expected to approve a plan in which Carolina and
Jacksonville get only one first-round pick at next year's draft,
and two picks in the later rounds (Vito Stellino, Baltimore SUN,
9/25).
     MORE CAP NEWS:  In Boston, Will McDonugh comments on figures
released by the NFLPA showing 18 teams over the $34.6M cap:  "I
submit that anyone who sees the results in basketball and
football and thinks salary caps are bad for the players be given
a dunce cap" (BOSTON GLOBE, 9/24).
     OWNERS TO PROBE DEION DEAL:  ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports
that some owners have "demanded" a meeting with NFL Commissioner
Paul Tagliabue this Friday regarding a possible third party --
"i.e., a corporate sponsor" -- involved in Deion Sanders'
contract with the 49ers,  In addition, they want to discuss the
49ers' tact of asking a free agent to take a pay cut and then re-
sign in the spring.  Mortensen: "There might be a penalty for
that" ("NFL Game Day," 9/25).