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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bledsoe Signs Seven-Year Deal Worth $42 Million

Associated Press

Drew Bledsoe couldn’t grasp the numbers on the contract that made him, according to the man paying his salary, the highest paid player in the NFL.

“What do I think?” Bledsoe said about the seven-year, $42 million deal he signed Thursday. “I don’t know. I can’t even do the math.”

The 23-year-old, who has been out of Washington State University just two years, earned the big numbers by putting up unprecedented statistics last season as the quarterback and cornerstone of the New England Patriots. He set NFL records with 691 passes in a season and 45 completions and 70 passes in a game.

Bledsoe’s contract runs through 2001 and rivals that of Troy Aikman’s deal with Dallas.

Aikman’s eight-year contract averages $6.25 million per year, but some of that money won’t be paid until after the eight years. Bledsoe’s $6 million per year will be paid during the seven years. The deal includes an $11.5 million signing bonus and a $1.7 million salary this year.

Patriots owner Bob Kraft called Bledsoe’s deal “the highest average salary and the highest signing bonus” in NFL history.

The Patriots signed first-round draft choice Ty Law and linebacker Todd Collins told the team he was retiring after three injury-plagued seasons.

Emtman pulls dis-Card

Arizona won’t be picking up Steve Emtman after all. The frequently injured defensive tackle, the No. 1 pick of the 1992 draft, called off his visit to the Cardinals, giving no explanation for the decision. Arizona coach Buddy Ryan planned to have Emtman take a physical today.

Emtman, the former Cheney High and University of Washington star, was released by the Colts after refusing to take a 1995 salary cut from $2 million to $700,000.

Eaton stripped

Chad Eaton, the defensive lineman taken from Washington State taken by Arizona in the seventh round, lost his shirt. Eaton had been wearing No. 90, but Keith McCants claimed that number after he signed a free-agent contract.

“Oh yeah, I took it off of him (Eaton) as soon as he (McCants) agreed to terms,” said Cardinals coach Buddy Ryan, who coached McCants at Houston and then signed him for the last eight games last year.

Around the league

Commissioner Paul Tagliabue has recommended that owners approve the Raiders’ move back to Oakland. Owners vote on the relocation today. … Raiders marketing agents announced they’ve sold out the Coliseum for the team’s first season back in Oakland - assuming fans are willing to take their second choice for seating - but thousands of club seats remain unsold for next year when the stadium is expanded. … Morten Andersen, cut by the Saints in an effort to force him to renegotiate, agreed to join the Falcons. Atlanta said Norm Johnson will be waived if Andersen makes the team. … Fullback Brad Muster was cut by New Orleans after he failed a physical. … Carlton Haselrig, a Pro Bowl guard in 1992, was signed by the New York Jets. … Tony Boselli, the No. 2 pick in the draft, sustained a more serious knee injury than thought - the Jacksonville team doctor discovered a floating cartilage chip - and will undergo arthroscopic surgery today. … Aspiring assistant coach Lance Hamilton, who sued the New York Giants for racial discrimination in 1992 and lost, had his case thrown out by an appellate court. … Houston announced it has waived veteran wide receiver Webster Slaughter. The Oilers said they have also agreed to terms with journeyman quarterback Will Furrer, the Pullman product who played for the Denver Broncos last season.