The Denver Broncos said yesterday they will grant Jay Cutler his request and try to trade the disgruntled Pro Bowl quarterback.

There is no shortage of teams interested in the 25-year-old rocket-armed quarterback whose unhappy offseason began with Mike Shanahan's firing and has haunted new coach Josh McDaniels' budding regime.

Broncos owner Pat Bowlen released a statement saying both he and McDaniels had been unable to get Cutler to call them back over the last 10 days. Bowlen said he spoke with Cutler's agent, Bus Cook, yesterday and came away convinced "that Jay no longer has any desire to play for the Denver Broncos."

Therefore, Bowlen said, "We will begin discussions with other teams in an effort to accommodate his request to be traded."

Cook didn't immediately return messages left by The Associated Press.

VICK TO REPAY FALCONS

Michael Vick has agreed to pay the Atlanta Falcons at least $6.5 million as part of his bankruptcy case, moving closer to cutting ties with a team that doesn't want him back.

The settlement was reached ahead of Vick's bankruptcy hearing in Virginia tomorrow.

The Falcons are trying to trade Vick, who is still barred from the NFL as he serves out a nearly two-year sentence for operating a gruesome dogfighting ring. If no deal is reached, Atlanta will likely cut its former star quarterback before the start of training camp.

TENNIS

FEDERER, A-ROD WIN

Confronted with an opponent who kept charging, Roger Federer rushed his shots as he searched to find a rhythm.

The fifth game gave him plenty of opportunity. Serving at 2-all, Federer overcame eight break points to take the lead for good en route to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over American Taylor Dent last night at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Fla.

The No. 2-seeded Federer's reward: a berth in the quarterfinals tonight against No. 5-seeded Andy Roddick, who won 22 points at the net to beat Gael Monfils, 7-6 (2), 6-4.

In a late match, No. 1-ranked Rafael Nadal rallied in successive sets to beat Stanislas Wawrinka, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4).

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

A gun possession case against New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress (he shot himself) was adjourned yesterday until June, but his attorney said the matter could be resolved sooner if a plea agreement can be reached. ... Tim Jitloff, 24, of Reno, Nev., blazed down the course at Alyeska Resort with the two fastest times of the day and won his second straight giant slalom championship yesterday at Girdwood, Alaska.