NFL: McCourty, Patriots' top pick, signs deal
First-round draft choice Devin McCourty, a cornerback from Rutgers, signed a five-year deal with the New England Patriots on Wednesday. The contract is worth $13.2 million with $7.825 million guaranteed, according to agent, Andy Simms.
First-round draft choice Devin McCourty, a cornerback from Rutgers, signed a five-year deal with the New England Patriots on Wednesday. The contract is worth $13.2 million with $7.825 million guaranteed, according to agent, Andy Simms.
McCourty, taken with the 27th overall pick, is only the second first-round choice to sign. Dez Bryant, the Oklahoma State wide receiver chosen 24th by Dallas, was first.
The Patriots released injury-plagued linebacker Shawn Crable, their third-round pick from Michigan in 2008.
Panthers. Carolina came to terms with quarterback Jimmy Clausen on a four-year contract that includes $2.53 million in guarantees.
The deal was struck after a fourth-year escalator - a rarity for a second-round pick - was included that tops out at $2.85 million. The total package could be worth as much as $6.3 million.
Chargers. Antonio Gates agreed to a $36.175 million, five-year contract extension, making him the NFL's highest-paid tight end.
The contract guarantees the six-time Pro Bowler $20.4 million, a source said.
Browns. In his first year as president of the Cleveland Browns, Mike Holmgren will violate one of the rules he had during training camp over 17 seasons as a pro coach - nobody sits.
Holmgren entered the media room in Berea, Ohio, with his right leg propped up on a cart with wheels that enabled him to move around. The former Green Bay and Seattle coach said he had surgery on his right foot to correct a condition that had been "bugging" him for a few years.
Redskins. Washington will open training camp Thursday without offensive lineman Mike Williams, who is out for the year after a blood clot was discovered in his lungs.
With Williams out, former Eagle Artis Hicks is expected to start at right guard.
Also, coach Mike Shanahan said disgruntled tackle Albert Haynesworth must pass a conditioning test before he can practice.
Bengals. Asked if he's concerned that newly signed receiver Terrell Owens could disrupt the team, receiver Andre Caldwell said that if Chad Ochocinco hasn't been able to do it, then Owens won't be able to, either.
Ravens. Rookie defensive tackle Terrence Cody passed his conditioning test and received a new nickname. The 350-pounder twice failed the test Tuesday. The drill consists of running 25 yards, doubling back, resting for 70 seconds and repeating it twice.
Veteran defensive tackle Haloti Ngata has dubbed the rookie "Cheeseburger."
Jurisprudence. A case that concluded last year with the NFL players union agreeing to pay former players a combined $26 million for failing to look out for their commercial interests, has spurred another law suit.
Several retired players, including Paul Hornung, John Brodie and Marvin Cobb, who believe the settlement should have been larger, have sued the law firms of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and McKool, Smith in Federal Court in San Francisco.
Signings. New Orleans agreed to terms with free agent quarterback Patrick Ramsey on a one-year contract. . . . Buffalo agreed to terms with defensive tackle Torell Troup, second-round pick from Central Florida. . . . Cornerback Aaron Glenn signed a one-day contract with Houston so he can retire with his hometown team after 15 seasons in the NFL. . . . The New York Jets signed veteran quarterback Mark Brunell, who backed up Drew Brees last season in New Orleans, to a two-year contract.
