Top Pick Pace Will Join Rams
Orlando Pace, the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft out of Ohio State, has agreed to terms with the St. Louis Rams after missing most of training camp in a holdout.
The announcement was made Friday night during the Rams-Cowboys exhibition game at Irving, Texas.
Pace’s agent, Kevin Poston, said the seven-year contract was worth about $25.6 million. Pace can opt out of the contract after three years if certain playing time incentives are met.
The two sides had been at a standstill since the last offer by the Rams of a six-year deal for $24.7 million - only $9.5 million of which was guaranteed.
Pace, a left tackle, was the first offensive lineman in 30 years to be taken with the first pick.
Pace was expected to start practicing early next week.
Baltimore Ravens top draft pick Peter Boulware said he has told his agent to accept the team’s six-year, $18.5 million contract offer, and he could be with the team today, ending his 34-day holdout.
Boulware, the No. 4 overall pick and a defensive end out of Florida State, is expected to receive a $6 million signing bonus, which is included in the nearly $14 million he will make in base salary from the contract. Boulware could make another $4.5 million depending on his number of appearances in the Pro Bowl.
Cowboys 34, Rams 31
Troy Aikman threw a TD pass and rookie cornerback Kevin Mathis had a touchdown off an interception return for Dallas.
Emmitt Smith made his 1997 debut for Dallas but was held to 24 yards on 12 carries.
St. Louis (1-2) built a 10-0 lead on a 38-yard field goal by Jeff Wilkins and a 33-yard Tony Banks-to-Eddie Kennison touchdown pass before Dallas answered with 19 quick points.
Trailing 34-17, third-string St. Louis quarterback Will Furrer threw two touchdown passes but made a gaffe with 17 seconds to go by downing the ball on fourth and 10 at the Dallas 46.
Steelers at ease
The latest edition of Camp Cowher is almost history, and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ sixth training camp under coach Bill Cowher was distinguishable mostly for …
Well, nothing.
No controversy. No confusion. No confrontations. And, despite numerous personnel changes from a year ago, not much competition for starting jobs.
Big change from a year ago, huh?
“I think we’re close to being ready,” Cowher said as the Steelers prepared to break camp in LaTrobe, Pa., and relocate to Three Rivers Stadium. “If we can stay healthy for the next two weeks, you couldn’t have written a better preseason script.”
Chiefs move 11 players
The Kansas City Chiefs placed two players on injured reserve and released nine others to reduce their roster to 70 players.
Wide receivers Sean LaChapelle and Reggie Jones were placed on injured reserve, sidelining them for the first six weeks of the season. The team released nine players with little or no NFL experience.