News briefs: Texans, Broncos, Steelers, Seahawks sign first-rounders

HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans on Friday signed first-round draft pick Duane Brown, an offensive lineman from Virginia Tech who is expected to start this season.

Brown took the practice field nearly an hour after the rest of the team on the first day of camp. The left tackle was selected 26th overall in the April draft.

The deal was agreed to at about 6 a.m. after a night of negotiating, general manager Rick Smith said. Brown couldn't take the field until the contract was signed, so he waited in Smith's office for a couple of hours before joining the team at practice.

The team wouldn't release terms of the deal.

Brown warmed up for a few minutes on a separate field before joining the team for drills. He was glad he didn't miss much practice time.

"Every day is a learning experience for me and I feel like I need every day so I can get to prepare for the season," he said. "So being able to come out here and get some work done on the first day helped me out."

Brown practiced with the first team during offseason practices, taking the job of former starter Ephraim Salaam. Full story

Broncos sign tackle Clady

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos signed first-round draft pick Ryan Clady, who is projected to start at left tackle.

The deal is believed to be worth $20 million over six years and was completed in time for the Boise State star to join the team's first workout.

Clady, selected 12th overall, was the last of the Broncos' nine draft picks to sign.

Steelers sign RB Mendenhall

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed their first-round draft pick, running back Rashard Mendenhall, to a five-year contract.

The Steelers announced the deal, but say they have no plans for a news conference or to make Mendenhall available. He will likely meet with the media when training camp opens on Sunday.

Mendenhall's signing means only the team's second-round pick, Limas Sweed, has yet to sign. Sweed is a wide receiver out of Texas.

Mendenhall, the No. 23 overall pick, played at Illinois. He's expected to return kicks and perhaps spell Willie Parker, who is returning from a broken leg.

Seahawks' Jackson, Engram report

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Seahawks top draft choice Lawrence Jackson has reported to training camp and is practicing with the team.

Jackson, the 28th pick from Southern California, agreed to an $11.25 million, five-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. The contract includes a $6.1 million signing bonus, said the person who requested anonymity because the team did not release the terms of the deal.

Bobby Engram was also practicing with the Seahawks after skipping the last two minicamps because he was unhappy with his contract. The 35-year-old receiver, who was on the starting offense for the first practice of training camp, is entering the final season of a two-year contract and will make $1.7 million this season.

Second-round draft choice John Carlson is the only Seahawks not in camp. The tight end from Notre Dame remains unsigned.

Bengals waive Irons

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals waived running back Kenny Irons after he failed a physical examination earlier this week.

Irons tore a left knee ligament during a preseason game at Detroit in August. The 24-year-old from Dacula, Ga., spent the season on the injured list.

If no other team claims his rights, the Bengals could re-sign Irons and put him on a reserve list. But he would not be eligible to play this season.

The team's remaining running backs include starter Rudi Johnson, followed by Kenny Watson, Chris Perry and DeDe Dorsey.

Jags still negotiating with Harvey

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville signed one of their two rookie defensive ends before training camp, but probably will open two-a-days without the other and both starting receivers.

Defensive end Quentin Groves, the team's second-round draft pick, signed a four-year, $3.3 million contract with the Jaguars. The team was still negotiating with first-round choice Derrick Harvey.

Maybe more concerning, receiver Reggie Williams sprained his right knee earlier in the week and will miss at least the first few days of camp.

The Jaguars were already without Jerry Porter, who had surgery last week to repair a torn hamstring and is expected to miss the entire preseason. Porter signed a six-year, $30 million contract in February and was supposed to give the team its first go-to receiver since Jimmy Smith retired. But he missed most of minicamp and organized team activities with hamstring problems.

Warner wants extension

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Anquan Boldin isn't the only Cardinal looking for a new contract.

Quarterback Kurt Warner, whose three-year deal expires this season, is seeking an extension. For him, the only question is whether he should be paid like a starter or a backup.

The 37-year-old Warner enters camp as Matt Leinart's backup. But Warner, who started 11 games last year, wants starter's money if he wins the job.

Warner said Friday that he's not looking to break the bank but merely wants to be "fairly compensated."

Saints add Porter, cut Johnson

JACKSON, Miss. -- New Orleans signed second-round pick Tracy Porter to a four-year contract, then released veteran tight end Eric Johnson, whose starting job was in jeopardy after the Saints traded for Jeremy Shockey earlier in the week.

Shortly after signing his first pro contract, Porter, a cornerback who was taken 40th overall in April's draft, took the field for the Saints' fourth practice of training camp.

Johnson hadn't practiced since Thursday's opening of camp because of a left ankle injury that occurred during the offseason.

Johnson played in 14 games for New Orleans last season, starting 12, and caught 48 passes for 378 yards and two touchdowns.

Panthers sign Otah, close with Stewart

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Carolina signed tackle Jeff Otah, leaving only fellow first-round pick Jonathan Stewart without a deal as training camp gets underway.

Otah was the 19th overall pick. He was en route to Wofford College on Friday night and was expected be on the field for the first practice Saturday. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

General manager Marty Hurney was negotiating with Stewart's agent Friday night. Coach John Fox said earlier in the day they were "fairly close" with both players.

Otah is expected to start at right tackle for Carolina, while Stewart will compete with DeAngelo Williams for the starting running back job.

Cards ink Rodgers-Cromartie

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Arizona has agreed to a six-year contract with cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, their top draft pick.

Rodgers-Cromartie, the 16th overall pick in April, is expected to join the club at its Northern Arizona University training camp on Saturday.

The Cardinals have a history of lengthy contract holdouts by draft picks. But Rodgers-Cromartie missed only two practices, both on Friday.

He's expected to arrive in Flagstaff in time for Saturday afternoon's workout.

Andrews still a no-show

BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews was a no-show at Philadelphia Eagles training camp for a second day.

Andrews is absent for personal reasons, and the team placed him on the reserve/did not report list.

"He's not here and he wasn't excused, and that's as far as I'm going with it," coach Andy Reid said after Friday's practice, the first full-squad workout of training camp.

Andrews, a fifth-year veteran, also missed the final week of the team's voluntary workouts last month for personal reasons. Because this absence is unexcused, he can be fined up to $15,000 for each day he misses.

Falcons sign Baker, Lofton

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons will have all of their draft picks on the field when camp opens Saturday after agreeing to terms with first-round pick Sam Baker and signing second-round pick Curtis Lofton.

Baker, an offensive tackle from USC, came to an agreement shortly after his father, David Baker, announced his resignation as commissioner of the Arena Football League. Terms of the deal were not immediately available.

The 6-foot-5, 309-pound Baker was the second of Atlanta's first-round picks, taken at No. 21 overall. Quarterback Matt Ryan was Atlanta's top pick at No. 3.

Lofton, a linebacker from Oklahoma, signed a four-year deal.

Cowboys reach deal with Jones, Jenkins

OXNARD, Calif. -- First-round draft picks Felix Jones and Mike Jenkins signed deals, putting all of Dallas' selections under contract.

Jones, a running back from Arkansas, and Jenkins, a cornerback from South Florida, have the same agent and each missed the first day of practice. Terms of their deals were not released.

The Cowboys selected Jones with the 22nd overall pick, impressed by his 1,162 yards and 11 touchdowns backing up Darren McFadden last season for the Razorbacks. The last time the team used a first-round pick on a running back was for Emmitt Smith in 1990.

Jenkins, the 25th overall pick, intercepted three passes last season for South Florida and returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown against Cincinnati.