Chicago All-Pro center Olin Kreutz and linebacker Lance Briggs dropped out of Saturday's Pro Bowl yesterday because of injuries.

Four of the NFC champion Bears' eight Pro Bowl selections have been forced to give up starting jobs in the NFL's all-star game because of injuries, including three in the last two days following their loss to Indianapolis in the Super Bowl.

Briggs, who has a left foot injury, will be replaced by Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks, who'll make his 10th straight Pro Bowl appearance.

Kreutz, a Honolulu native and Saint Louis School alum, won't be able to make his sixth Pro Bowl appearance because of a right knee injury. Kreutz, who has missed just one start for the Bears since 1999, will be replaced by Dallas center Andre Gurode, while Minnesota's Matt Birk is expected to start in Kreutz's place.

Linebacker Brian Urlacher dropped out of his sixth Pro Bowl trip Monday with an injured toe, while defensive lineman Tommie Harris relinquished his spot after undergoing season-ending surgery in early December.

CARDINALS

Jeff Rutledge was hired as Arizona's quarterbacks coach yesterday, one of four more assistants hired by new Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt.

Freddie Kitchens was hired as tight ends coach, Mike Miller as offensive assistant and Matt Raich as defensive quality control coach.

DOLPHINS

The Miami Dolphins signed seven free agents yesterday, including former Oakland and San Diego linebacker Akbar Gbaja-Biamila.

Tight end Jason Rader and wide receiver P.K. Sam, who were Dolphins practice-squad players, were also signed, as was defensive tackle Steve Fifita, who was with Miami in training camp. The Dolphins also signed quarterback Gibran Hamdan, linebacker Bobby Iwuchukwu and kicker Matt Prater.

REDSKINS

Washington Redskins right tackle Jon Jansen signed a five-year, $23 million contract extension yesterday.

Jansen is the team's longest tenured player and had two years left on his previous contract, but he agreed to a new deal that includes more than $10 million in bonus money. It also gives the Redskins some salary cap relief for the free agency signing period, which begins March 2.

Jansen, who turned 31 last month, was a second-round draft pick from Michigan in 1999.