Niners introduce Smith
Alex Smith has a contract befitting the NFL’s next great young quarterback. Because he signed it before training camp, the San Francisco 49ers have plenty of time to figure out whether he’s ready for the role.
Smith inked his six-year contract with the 49ers on Tuesday, formally agreeing to a deal worth $49.5 million.
Smith, the top overall draft pick from Utah, will get $24 million in guaranteed money – $4 million more than the then-record deal signed by Eli Manning, the No. 1 pick last season, got from the New York Giants.
Smith’s contract contains average annual salaries of $8.25 million, and with incentives, the whole package could be worth $57 million.
The 49ers reached a deal with Smith’s agent, Tom Condon, four days before the first workouts of training camp Saturday, ensuring Smith will have every chance to claim the Niners’ starting job.
“Now it’s time for me to go earn this money and prove that I deserve this money,” Smith said. “The primary goal is to get on the field. I don’t think this team is paying me this money to sit on the sideline. … I feel I can play at this level right now.”
Smith will be among the NFL’s highest-profile rookies, even if he can’t immediately wrest the starting job from veteran Tim Rattay, who struggled with injuries last season, or even third-year pro Ken Dorsey.
“At some point, Alex is going to be the quarterback here,” Nolan said.
Sherman doesn’t worry about holdouts
No longer being general manager of the Green Bay Packers means coach Mike Sherman doesn’t have to fret over expected holdouts anymore.
That’s now Ted Thompson’s job.
So, Sherman, who was bogged down by Mike McKenzie’s protracted holdout last summer, insisted in his first news conference of training camp that he’s not worried about those players who are expected to be absent for roll call this week.
Chief among them is wide receiver Javon Walker, but the list includes tight end Bubba Franks and possibly defensive linemen Grady Jackson and Cletidus Hunt.
Cardinals fly south after viral outbreak
The Arizona Cardinals are moving their training camp south 78 miles from Flagstaff to Prescott after a viral outbreak on the Northern Arizona University campus, where the team normally stays.
The decision to move was made Monday, and after a quick bus tour by team officials, Prescott was chosen as the new site. The Cardinals already planned a three-day extended training camp there Aug. 24-26.
Around the league
Al Michaels will stay with Monday Night Football when it moves from ABC to ESPN in 2006. He will be joined in the booth by Joe Theismann. … The Oakland Raiders signed top draft pick Fabian Washington, a cornerback from Nebraska, to a five-year, $7.8 million deal. … Defensive tackle Luis Castillo, one of the San Diego Chargers’ two first-round picks, agreed to a five-year deal potentially worth $7,035,000. … First-round draft pick Marlin Jackson, a defensive back from Michigan, agreed to a five-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts worth nearly $7 million. … The St. Louis Rams re-signed guard Tom Nutten to a one-year contract.