Tebow signs with Broncos
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Tim Tebow missed some practices but none that counted before agreeing to a contract with the Denver Broncos on Thursday.
The two-time national champion from Florida and 25th pick in the NFL draft missed the first three workouts for rookies and selected veterans while his agent, Jimmy Sexton, and general manager Brian Xanders hammered out a deal believed to be worth about US$11 million over five years with more than $8 million of that guaranteed.
ESPN reported that Tebow could earn as much as $33 million over the course of the contract.
Tebow is expected to practise this morning, the final session before training camp begins in earnest Sunday with a full squad in full pads.
The signing of Tebow leaves top pick Demaryius Thomas, a wide receiver out of Georgia Tech, as the only unsigned member of Denver’s draft class.
Thomas was selected three spots before Tebow, the most intriguing pro prospect since Michael Vick.
The Broncos’ starting quarterback remains Kyle Orton, who threw for 3,800 yards last season but faltered down the stretch when he got banged up and the Broncos kept their offence conservative.
The Broncos were unwilling to commit to a long-term relationship this off-season, so Orton signed a US$2.621 million tender as a restricted free agent and didn’t miss any of the team’s off-season program.
Haynesworth fails conditioning test
ASHBURN, Va. — The first Washington Redskins training camp practice is over — and Albert Haynesworth wasn’t a part of it.
The two-time All-Pro defensive lineman failed his conditioning test Thursday and wasn’t allowed to take part in the late afternoon session.
The Redskins told Haynesworth he had to take the test because he skipped the entire off-season workout program. Washington coach Mike Shanahan says Haynesworth will have to take the test every day until he passes.
Haynesworth made an appearance after practice was over, working with assistant coaches on drills for about 20 minutes
Dolphins ink first and second rounders
DAVIE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins’ eight draft picks will all be under contract when training camp starts Friday.
First-round choice Jared Odrick and second-round selection Koa Misi agreed to terms Thursday, their agents said. Odrick is a defensive end from Penn State, and Misi is an outside linebacker from Utah. They were Miami’s top two choices and the last unsigned picks.
Odrick agreed to a five-year deal worth US$7.13 million guaranteed, and the package could be worth up to $13 million, agent Drew Rosenhaus said.
Misi agreed to a four-year deal, agent Kenny Zuckerman said. He declined to disclose financial terms, but the deal was believed to be for about $4.5 million, with about $2.6 million guaranteed.
Misi, the 40th player taken in the draft, played mostly defensive end as a three-year starter at Utah. Reporting on time will aid his transition to linebacker, where he’ll help fill a void created by the departures of Joey Porter and Jason Taylor.
Odrick was the Big Ten defensive player of the year in 2009, and the Dolphins made him the 28th pick in the draft.
Raiders get McClain under contract
NAPA, Calif. — While his Raiders teammates were at meetings to start training camp, first-round pick Rolando McClain was waiting in his house in Oakland hoping he’d be able to join them for the first practice. After signing his contract late Wednesday night, McClain made it up to the Raiders’ summer home in the wine country to be on the field for the first training camp workout.
“My whole goal was to be here for the first day of practice,” McClain said Thursday. “I know I missed a few meetings but my goal was to be here for the first day of practice. We got it accomplished.”
McClain, the eighth-overall pick in April’s draft, was just the third first-round pick to sign a contract and the highest overall pick to do so. He reportedly got a five-year, US$40 million contract that will guarantee him about $23 million.
The Dallas Cowboys signed No. 24 pick Dez Bryant last week and the New England Patriots signed No. 27 pick Devin McCourty on Wednesday morning.
No punishment for Young
NASHVILLE — NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he decided not to suspend Titans quarterback Vince Young over a tussle at a Dallas strip club in June.
Goodell said Thursday that he saw no reason for any disciplinary action over the incident after meeting with Young earlier this week. Goodell said he reminded Young that he’s responsible for his conduct.
Young was given a misdemeanour assault citation after the fight last month was caught on surveillance video. He quickly apologized and said he hoped Goodell wouldn’t suspend him because he owned up to his mistake.