Sanders To Be Best-Paid Rb

Barry Sanders agreed to a five-year contract with the Detroit Lions on Sunday and will report to camp today, the team announced.

The team did not disclose the financial terms of the contract, but said it includes an option for a sixth year. Sanders, 29, had reportedly been close to signing a contract that would pay him on average between $5.3 million and $5.5 million per season, making him the league’s highest-paid running back.

Sanders won the NFL rushing title last season with 1,553 yards, becoming the first back in league history to rush for 1,500 yards or better in three straight seasons.

“I’m pleased that we were able to work this out, and I’m happy to have Barry in camp,” said Lions first-year coach Bobby Ross. “Now we have to get to work. He has some catching up to do, and I’m anxious to start working with him.”

Emtman signs with 49ers

Defensive tackle and former Cheney High standout Steve Emtman signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

Emtman, who with Junior Bryant will back up the starting tandem of Dana Stubblefield and Bryant Young, received a $90,000 signing bonus and will draw a base salary of $230,000 this season.

Phillips just wants to have fun

Every day that passes, Lawrence Phillips puts a little more distance on his troubled past.

Phillips’ rookie season with the St. Louis Rams was marred by a training camp holdout, a myriad of legal woes and a knee injury. He spent 23 days in the Lancaster, Neb., Correctional Center for violating probation stemming from the assault on a former girlfriend at Nebraska.

This summer, Phillips is being described as a role model.

“I think Lawrence has grown in a lot of ways,” says Wilbert Montgomery, the former Philadelphia Eagles star brought in to coach the running backs.

“A lot of people forget at the age of 21 and 22 we all did stupid things. Lawrence has grown and has committed himself, and to me, that’s a sign of a kid that wants to do right, a kid who can’t wait for the season.”

Jets sign first-round pick

James Farrior, a linebacker from Virginia and the eighth pick overall in this year’s NFL Draft, arrived in New York and signed a five-year, $8,846,135 contract with the Jets.

Brumfield back with Bengals

It has been a long road back for Scott Brumfield. Temporarily paralyzed during a game last season, the Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman is resuming his NFL career.

Eight months ago, Brumfield was in a hospital bed, partially paralyzed.

A collision with teammate Troy Sadowski during the Nov. 3 game at Baltimore left Brumfield with a spinal cord concussion. Initially, team physicians just hoped he would be able to walk normally again.

Brumfield, 26, will fully participate in the Bengals’ training camp. He hopes to regain his starting job at right guard from Ken Blackman.