Raiola agrees to deal with Lions
Advertiser Staff and News Reports
All-America center Dominic Raiola, a former St. Louis School standout, has agreed to a four-year, $2.7 million deal with the Detroit Lions.
Raiola, a second-round pick out of Nebraska, is expected to compete with Eric Beverly for the starting job. His deal includes an option year and $1.3 million in reporting and option bonuses.
Raiola's agent — Kenny Zuckerman of Priority Sports and Entertainment in Beverly Hills, Calif. — said he expected Raiola to be in Saginaw, Mich., yesterday afternoon to sign the deal.
"We all put our heads together and were able to come up with this creative concept that enables us to get a deal done and get Dominic into camp on time, which is important to Dominic," Zuckerman said.
Because of the NFL's restrictions on the proration of the signing bonus over uncapped contract years and the limit of 25 percent increases in rookie contracts, the Lions and Zuckerman worked out a deal that gives Raiola the equivalent of a signing bonus in a reporting bonus (payable when he reports to training camp) and an option bonus (payable in March when the Lions pick up the option for a fourth season).
The deal also is believed to include certain guarantees and incentives in the first year.
Raiola, 6 feet 1 and 303 pounds, was the 50th overall pick in the draft.
DOLPHINS
• All-Pro re-signs: Miami re-signed All-Pro defensive end Jason Taylor to a six-year, $42 million contract, ensuring its defense will remain solid for years to come.
Taylor's contract replaces the one-year, $5.39 million deal the Dolphins tendered in February, when he was designated their franchise player.
Taylor, 26, had a career-high 14 1/2 sacks last year for the AFC East champions. He was chosen for the All-Pro team and voted a Pro Bowl starter, both for the first time.
Miami also signed four draft picks: Wisconsin wide receiver Chris Chambers, Florida State running back Travis Minor, Syracuse linebacker Morlon Greenwood and Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel, who led the Sooners to the national championship last season.
BENGALS
• Scott back: Wide receiver Darnay Scott, who missed all of last season with a broken leg suffered during training camp, worked out yesterday and said he's ready for a big season.
"I hope some people think I did lose a step," said Scott, Cincinnati's fastest receiver. "They'll realize they're wrong when I run by them."
Scott said his leg "is a little shaky because of the physical contact, but . . . once I get back to 100 percent confidence in it in about a week or so, it'll be all good."
PANTHERS
• Smith released: Veteran defensive end Chuck Smith, who played in only two games last season after signing a five-year, $21.5 million contract, was released yesterday. Smith was kept out last season by arthritic knees.
"Everybody involved has a sense that he's not going to be able to play anymore," coach George Seifert said. "It's an unfortunate situation for Chuck because I know he loved the game. And it's unfortunate for us."
Smith, 30, played eight seasons for the Atlanta Falcons and had 58.5 career sacks — 30.5 of them coming from 1997-99.
BEARS
• Engram returns: Wide receiver Bobby Engram, who tore up his right knee in the third game of last season, says he's finally ready to come back.
Engram, who led Chicago in receiving in 1998 and 1999, worked out yesterday.
