NFL | Hearing in Lions case is postponed

A hearing in the Detroit Lions' case for recovering almost $10.2 million of a rookie signing bonus paid to Charles Rogers was postponed yesterday.

The hearing, scheduled for today in Detroit, was indefinitely delayed, the Lions said.

Rogers' total signing bonus was for $14.4 million. The NFL Players Association has argued that the Lions have no right to make Rogers repay any portion of the bonus.

The club claims that Rogers, who starred at Michigan State before he was taken with the No. 2 overall pick in 2003, diminished his value to the team by failing a drug test earlier that season.

The NFL suspended the Saginaw, Mich., native for four games in 2005 for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Rogers played five games in 2003 before a broken collarbone ended his season. He suffered the same season-ending injury on the third play of the 2004 opener.

He played in nine games in 2005 and was released after training camp in 2006.

Seahawks. Seattle center Chris Spencer will not need a second shoulder surgery, the team said yesterday.

Jaguars. Jacksonville signed free-agent cornerback Bruce Thornton, a fourth-round pick by Dallas in 2004, who was out of the league last season after being waived by the New York Jets in August.

Also, defensive end Bobby McCray and guard Chris Naeole did not attend a voluntary minicamp. Both are trying to work out contract disputes with the Jaguars.

Raiders. Oakland fired senior personnel executive Michael Lombardi, a former Eagles personnel man. Lombardi's role had diminished in recent months and the move was expected.

Lombardi did not immediately return a phone message.

Titans. Tennessee signed quarterback Tim Rattay and claimed linebacker Gilbert Gardner off waivers from Indianapolis.

Steelers. Two fans forked out a total of $38,500 to buy the rights to personal-seat licenses in Heinz Field at a bankruptcy auction in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

Ten bidders showed up for the two auctions, but Paul Ferguson and Michael Craig were the lucky ones.

Ferguson, a Pittsburgh native who lives in South Carolina, flew in for the auction, dishing out $21,000 for licenses to four seats in Heinz Field.

Craig paid $17,500 for licenses to two prized seats.