Miami signs Long as No. 1 draft pick

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Apr 23, 2008 | by Anonymous

DAVIE, Fla. -- Jake Long seemed at ease in his new role as the NFL's No. 1 draft pick, leaning into a news conference microphone to talk about his mean streak while his mother sat in the corner, nodding as she smiled.

The Miami Dolphins were grinning Tuesday, too. They signed the Michigan left tackle to a five-year contract with $30 million guaranteed, and they'll select him with the top pick in the draft Saturday.

The deal allows the Dolphins and Long to avoid a possible holdout.

"It's really important for us to know Jake is going to be on the field for us on time when training camp begins in July," coach Tony Sparano said.

Long's total contract package is for $57.75 million, said a person familiar with the negotiations who didn't want to be identified because the Dolphins declined to reveal terms. Last year's top pick, JaMarcus Russell, signed for $61 million with the Oakland Raiders but missed all of training camp before reaching a deal.

Raiders re-sign pair

The Raiders re-signed special teams standouts Jarrod Cooper and Isaiah Ekejiuba on Tuesday. Coach Lane Kiffin considered them vital to the team's success on special teams last season and made it a high priority to bring back both players. The Raiders also signed free-agent defensive back Michael Waddell, 27, who played in every game for the Tennessee Titans during the 2004 and'05 seasons. He has not appeared in a game the past two seasons because of injuries.

Seahawks cut Alexander

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks released former MVP Shaun Alexander, just 26 months after he signed a $62 million contract.

Seahawks president Tim Ruskell said Tuesday the team released Alexander unconditionally hours after the running back passed a physical. It's been a rapid fall for the 30-year-old Alexander. When he signed that mammoth deal, he was coming off an MVP season in 2005 and a Super Bowl appearance. Now he's looking for work, coming off of two unimpressive and injury-filled seasons.

Alexander will try again in 2008. The three-time Pro Bowl runner, whose last two seasons have been his worst, said he is not retiring.

"I will be playing for another NFL team this fall, and doing everything I can to contribute," said Alexander, who ran for just 716 yards in 13 games last season.

Bengals coach: Sit out, Chad

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals are calling Chad Johnson's bluff.

Tired of the receiver's posturing for a trade, coach Marvin Lewis said Johnson should keep his word and sit out the season -- the strongest comment yet from an organization that is reluctant to let him go.

The Bengals also turned down Washington's offer of two high- round draft picks for Johnson, who had hoped to be traded before the draft this weekend. The move indicated that Johnson will be staying in Cincinnati, like it or not. Lewis also said that linebacker David Pollack is leaning toward retirement.

Around the league

- The Kansas City Chiefs agreed Tuesday night to trade unhappy Pro Bowl defensive end Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings, a source said. Allen and the Chiefs became at odds last fall in negotiations on a long-term contract, but the Chiefs in February designated him their franchise player. The Chiefs had discussed a deal that would send Minnesota's first- and both of its third-round picks to the Chiefs.

-Defensive end Mike Rucker said a tearful goodbye to football, retiring from the Carolina Panthers as the team's second-leading tackler.

-A federal judge denied the NFL's motion that he vacate his ruling that allows suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to keep $16.5 million in bonuses.