San Diego Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf agreed Saturday to a contract that includes a $11.25 million signing bonus, the largest ever for a rookie, and will end his two-day training camp holdout.
The bonus is part of a complex deal that could pay Leaf, the second pick in the April draft, $31.25 million over five seasons, an average of $6.25 million.That means that Leaf will get into camp before Peyton Manning, taken by Indianapolis with the first pick in the draft. Manning remained the Colts' only unsigned player.
"We were determined to make sure Ryan got out to a productive start in training camp, and that's the most important key," Leaf's agent, Leigh Steinberg, told The Associated Press from his Newport Beach office.
Leaf, who led Washington State to the Rose Bowl as a junior, missed a total of four practices on Friday and Saturday. The Chargers are off Sunday, and Leaf is expected to report to a team meeting that night and begin practicing on Monday morning.
The key to the contract is voidable years, which Steinberg specializes in negotiating. Steinberg said the basic deal is for six years and $13.2 million, which really is irrelevant.
At the end of three seasons, if Leaf reaches certain statistical levels, the contract voids. The Chargers can then buy back two additional years by paying another $4 million bonus. The range for that contract will be $25 million for five years. If Leaf does really well, such as playing at a Pro Bowl level, the deal would be worth $31.25 million.
BENGALS: The Cincinnati Bengals signed first-rounder Takeo Spikes to a five-year, $7.53 million contract on Saturday. The deal includes a $3.6 million signing bonus and $1.5 million in incentives, according to his agent, Jim Sims.
Spikes, a speedy linebacker from Auburn, was the No. 13 overall selection in April's draft. The Bengals hope he can help turn around their porous defense, which ranked 28th in the NFL last season.
DOLPHINS: The other big news Saturday was Miami's decision to waive talented but troubled running back Lawrence Phillips.
"I just feel like he's not going to fit into our plans," Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson said. "This gives him an opportunity to find another team, get himself another opportunity."
Phillips wasn't available for comment.
Police are investigating allegations that Phillips hit a woman at a lounge in Plantation, Fla., on June 27. A decision on whether charges will be filed could be made next week.
PACKERS: Doug Pederson is having problems adjusting to his new role as the Packers' No. 2 quarterback behind Brett Favre.
Pederson, who was handed the backup job on April 5 when Steve Bono was traded to the St. Louis Rams, has been throwing poorly during the first week of training camp.
"It's been rough," Pederson said. "It's the opportunity of a lifetime for me. I think I've put some undue stress or whatever on myself to perform well, and it's showed up out here."
FALCONS: Free agent defensive tackle William Gaines signed with the Falcons.
Gaines, a 6-foot-5, 318-pounder, fills the spot vacated when Nathan Davis quit the team Friday.
Gaines played three seasons with the Washington Redskins and one with the Miami Dolphins.
RAMS: Don't mess with defensive tackle D'Marco Farr.
Farr worked on his karate skills in the offseason and is now two steps away from a black belt.
"That means I can jump in somebody's stuff right now," he said.
Farr thinks karate will make him a better pass-rusher.
"It's all hand speed, flexibility and balance," he said.
PANTHERS: The Carolina Panthers held their first workouts without defensive end Jason Peter, the team's first-round draft.
Peter and the team have been unable to agree on a contract, so the 14th overall selection continued his holdout. Through the first two days of camp, Peter missed a total of eight hours of meetings and more than three hours of practice time.
"There's no question a guy gets behind," coach Dom Capers said.
BRONCOS: Tony Jones, a natural left tackle, has opened training camp on the right side of Denver's offensive line.
Jones has requested that he play out of position so he can avoid a repeat of last season, when his performance was disrupted by having to switch from one side of the line to the other.
That happened because All-Pro left tackle Gary Zimmerman retired, then came back two games into the regular season. Because of Zimmerman's anticipated absence, Jones began the season at left tackle. He stayed there for six games before switching to right tackle after Zimmerman had problems mastering the right side.
Zimmerman has announced his intention to retire again, but Jones isn't convinced.
"You never know with Gary," Jones said. "I would love to go back to left tackle, my natural position. But if Gary comes back, I don't want to have to go through that again."
EAGLES: In just a few days of full-scale practices, linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is making the Philadelphia Eagles take notice of him.
"I'm a physical player who makes plays," said Trotter, the team's third-round draft pick from Stephen F. Austin. "I want to be an intimidator out there. I want to be the guy nobody wants to play against."
The 6-foot-1, 260-pound Trotter is challenging incumbent James Willis for the starting job in the middle of the Eagles defense by bringing his intense, physical and unrelenting approach to the practice field.
BEARS: One thing the Chicago Bears won't have to worry about this season is a coaching controversy.
After the Bears started 0-7 last season, there was plenty of speculation about coach Dave Wannstedt's job. Wannstedt is still here, but the questions have already started about whether the Bears have to win right away for him to keep his job.
Worry about something else, Bears president Mike McCaskey said Saturday. Wannstedt isn't going anywhere.
"I think you can expect him to be the coach for the full season," McCaskey said. "That's the way I go into it. It doesn't enter to my mind to make a change."