Fitzgerald signs big deal
Being third was no handicap to Larry Fitzgerald.
The wide receiver from Pittsburgh, the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft, and the Cardinals agreed Monday to a six-year contract that could be worth up to $60 million. That puts him in a financial bracket as high as or perhaps higher than the first two picks.
About $20 million is guaranteed, said a source close to the negotiations, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Eli Manning, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, also got $20 million guaranteed from the New York Giants and $54 million with incentives.
Fitzgerald missed Monday morning’s opening practice of training camp. But coach Dennis Green, a family friend, said the 20-year-old rookie would soon be a key part of the offense. He will team with Anquan Boldin, a second-round pick last season who was offensive rookie of the year.
“He’s a fabulous player,” Green said. “Him and Anquan, together they’re very impressive – big, physical, catch everything in sight, run down the field. So I think everybody was pleased, and I think he was pleased, because he’s seen our offense over the years.”
Packers sign first-round pick
The Green Bay Packers signed their first-round draft pick, cornerback Ahmad Carroll.
The deal included a signing bonus of $3.95 million and an immediate roster bonus of $300,000, for a total bonus of $4.25 million, according to a source with access to NFL Players Association salary data who requested anonymity.
The six-year contract includes just over $7 million plus another $3 million in incentives and escalators. The final year is voidable with minimal playing time.
Alstott ready to play
For Mike Alstott, putting on the pads and taking the first hit was the easy part.
Talking about how it felt to be back in the mix for the first time since undergoing surgery for a career-threatening neck injury was more difficult.
The six-time Pro Bowl fullback’s voice cracked with emotion, but his message was strong. He’s not only back, but confident he can still be a productive player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I’ve always said if I couldn’t play like myself, I’d retire,” Alstott said. “After today, there’s no question.”
Alstott has not played since getting hit on top of his head during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts last Oct. 6. He temporarily lost feeling in his legs and experienced a stinging sensation in his arms that night, and had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck a month later.
“Joe Jurevicius had a major setback in his bid to return from a serious knee injury when the Buccaneers revealed that the receiver now needs surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back.
Although general manager Bruce Allen suggested there is a chance Jurevicius could return before the start of the regular season, coach Jon Gruden said it’s too soon to tell how long the seventh-year pro will be out.
Jurevicius will have surgery today in Los Angeles. He was placed on the active non-football injury list last week.
Browns add Warfield as scout
Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield has caught on again with the Cleveland Browns.
Warfield, who had two stints with the Browns (1964-69 and 1976-77) as a player, has rejoined the team as a scout and career planning consultant.
The 61-year-old’s responsibilities will include scouting college players, evaluating talent for the NFL draft and special projects. Warfield worked in Cleveland’s front office as player relations director from 1985-87.
“It’s nice to get back with the organization again,” Warfield said. “I was here 40 years ago for my first training camp and now I want to help the Browns get back to a championship level of play.”
Tennessee gets new AFL team
Bud Adams, owner of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, finally delivered Monday on his promise to bring back an Arena Football League team to Nashville.
Nashville’s previous AFL franchise was sold in 2001 to a group in Atlanta, a team now owned by Atlanta Falcons’ owner Arthur Blank. Adams bought an AFL expansion franchise in August 2001 and hired the former Kats coach Pat Sperduto, keeping him on the payroll ever since.
The new Kats will open training camp in January 2005, nearly four years after the Kats left Nashville.
James to stay with Colts
Edgerrin James has big plans this year. He wants to win a Super Bowl, prove he’s still among the NFL’s elite running backs and maybe even win a third rushing title.
So Miami will have to wait.
James said he intended to play out the final year of his contract with the Indianapolis Colts, dispelling any notion he would seek a trade to the Dolphins.
“When next year comes, I’ll worry about next year,” James said. “Right now, I’m here, so I’ll worry about that.”
Summerall tries out for ESPN
Four months after undergoing a liver transplant, Pat Summerall has landed at least a temporary NFL play-by-play job with ESPN, a network spokesperson confirmed Sunday.
Summerall, 74, will work four preseason games in place of Mike Patrick, who is scheduled for open-heart surgery. Patrick is expected to be back alongside analysts Joe Theismann and Paul Maguire on Sept. 12 for ESPN’s first regular-season Sunday night game.
As for Summerall’s status after Patrick returns, spokesman Rob Tobias said that his network “will take it from there.”
Around the league
New England Patriots defensive lineman Rodney Bailey is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his torn Achilles’ tendon. … Offensive tackle Mike Williams was excused from the second of two Buffalo Bills’ practice sessions for what the team referred to as personal reasons. team spokesman Scott Berchtold said Williams’ absence was not injury related. … Tennessee linebacker Peter Sirmon twisted his left knee during the Titans’ first training camp session in full pads, and coach Jeff Fisher said he would have an MRI as a precaution. Fisher said Sirmon’s knee didn’t appear to be hurt seriously.