In brief: Bulger’s wallet bulges after new contract
Marc Bulger’s numbers put him in the top tier of NFL quarterbacks, and now he has a contract to match.
The St. Louis Rams signed the two-time Pro Bowler to a six-year, $65 million contract extension Friday that makes him the highest-paid player in franchise history. The contract includes $27 million in guaranteed money and puts him in a group of six quarterbacks making $10 million a year.
The Rams tied up both of their loose ends on the first day of training camp, also reaching agreement on a five-year deal with first-round draft pick Adam Carriker.
“Seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan failed to report to the New York Giants training camp, and he is mulling retirement, his agent, Tony Agnone, told general manager Jerry Reese.
“No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell and the Oakland Raiders failed to agree on a contract before the start of training camp, leaving the quarterback as a holdout from the team’s first practice.
Russell is said to be seeking a deal worth $60 million.
“The Carolina Panthers suspended offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges for the first two games of the regular season, a day after his arrest on a misdemeanor assault charge.
Bridges was arrested Thursday in Charlotte, N.C., after a woman who works at a strip club accused Bridges of pointing a gun at her in the parking lot of the club. He was released on $3,000 bond.
Basketball
Oden may skip camp
Greg Oden is leaning toward skipping U.S. training camp next month, possibly ending his chances of playing in the 2008 Olympics.
Oden, the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, had a tonsillectomy July 14 and was forced to miss the Americans’ minicamp last weekend in Las Vegas. He has an invitation to join the team when it reconvenes for training camp on Aug. 15, but said he probably wouldn’t be there.
“James Battista, the former operator of a suburban sports bar expects to be indicted in connection with the NBA betting investigation involving former referee Tim Donaghy, who was his high school classmate.
“The Chicago Bulls have signed first-round draft choice Joakim Noah, along with second-round selection Aaron Gray.
“Former UNLV guard Mark Wade has been charged with embezzling more than $15,000 in his former job as an assistant coach at UC Riverside.
Miscellany
Villwock sets record
Dave Villwock drove U-16 Ellstrom to a course record during qualifying for the Lamb Weston Atomic Cup for unlimited hydroplanes at Kennewick.
Villwock, the three-time defending champion, averaged 165.687 mph around the 2.5-mile oval course on the Columbia River.
“Former heavyweight boxer James Oyebola died in London, four days after he was shot in the head following a dispute about smoking at a bar, police said. He was 47.
“The health of Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches remained in question with the filly’s recent tests to be reviewed by the owners’ veterinarian.