NOTES : FLORIDA ST. DENIE PROBATION STANDS.

The NCAA turned down Florida State's appeal of a one-year probation, ruling the university committed a major violation by failing to adequately monitor sports agents on its campus.

``The duty to monitor is an indispensable component of a quality program,'' said Michael Slive, chairman of the NCAA infractions appeals committee.

Florida State acknowledged 14 NCAA rules violations found in its internal investigation. Eight of the violations involved a November 1993 after-hours shopping spree to a Foot Locker shoe store at a local mall, where several players received about $6,000 worth of merchandise paid for by unlicensed sports agents.

Tuesday's denial of the appeal did not change the original sanctions handed down March 20. The one-year probation was dated retroactively to Feb. 3 and has just four months to run and Florida State lost no scholarships and remains eligible for television and bowl appearances.

But the designation of a major violation leaves Florida State vulnerable to the NCAA's so-called death penalty if it has a repeat violation within a five-year window.

Shoe could be on other foot: Coach Steve Spurrier once referred to Florida State as ``Free Shoes University'' because some of its players accepted Foot Locker store merchandise that was paid for by sports agents.

On the same day the NCAA upheld the Seminoles' one-year probation for not monitoring agents on campus, Florida was trying to make sure left tackle Mo Collins was the only player who accepted money from an agent's representative.

``If there is and we find out about it, they won't play either,'' Spurrier said at his weekly news conference.

THE NFL

The Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams both sought to rectify glaring weaknesses Tuesday, with the Rams acquiring offensive lineman Bill Milner in exchange for tight end Troy Drayton.

``This is an old-fashioned NFL trade - player for player, win, win for both teams,'' Rams general manager Steve Ortmayer said. ``We get a young, quality lineman for a tight end who helps Miami immediately.''

Following the deal, the Dolphins released 11-year veteran Keith Byars, a running back who was forced to play tight end this season.

Washington's Raymer out with injury: Center Cory Raymer will be out four weeks after spraining his right knee Sunday night in the Redskins' 31-16 victory over the New York Jets.

The Redskins also announced the signing of rookie free-agent offensive lineman Christopher Sedoris. Sedoris, who played at Purdue, was signed by the Redskins on May 1 as a free agent and was waived on Aug. 20. The Redskins signed Sedoris from the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.

To make room for Sedoris, the Redskins waived cornerback Eric Sutton. Sutton spent the entire 1995 season on the Redskins practice squad after being signed as a rookie free agent from San Diego State.

Philadelphia to look at Rypien: Former Redskins QB Mark Rypien will spend his 34th birthday today at Veterans Stadium, working out for the Eagles coaching staff. If his workout and medical exam go well, the Eagles are expected to sign him to back up Ty Detmer.

The signing of the much-traveled Rypien would not seem to do much to restore the great expectations that surrounded the Eagles in the first month of the season, optimism that crumbled, along with starting quarterback Rodney Peete, in Monday night's loss to Dallas.

Peete went down with a torn patella tendon in his right knee and was pronounced lost for the season. He underwent surgery early Tuesday at Pennsylvania Hospital and his rehabilitation could take up to nine months.