Cowboys give CB Scandrick five-year, $27 million contract

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Orlando Scandrick came into the NFL determined to prove he was better than a fifth-round pick. Before even finishing his rookie contract, the cornerback convinced the Dallas Cowboys how much he's worth.

On Wednesday, Scandrick received a five-year extension worth $27 million -- an additional $2 million this season, and an average of $5 million per season for the added years. He's guaranteed $10 million, according to a person familiar with negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the terms were not released.

"The chip is still on my shoulder," Scandrick said. "Now I need to prove that I'm worth it."

Scandrick came to training camp knowing there was a chance for a new deal from Dallas or that he could play his way into bigger money as a free agent next summer. Having quickly won over new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan with his strong play the first month of camp, talks heated up between the Cowboys and Scandrick's agent. He wound up getting the kind of money a No. 2 cornerback would get, even though he's considered No. 3, behind Terence Newman and Mike Jenkins.

"I always told myself if I got to a certain number, I would take it. And they met my number," Scandrick said, later adding that the overall deal exceeded his expectations.

The deal was done about a half-hour before the Cowboys took the field for a night time practice at their stadium. Word had spread to his teammates and they congratulated him. Then he had a practice befitting his new salary -- an interception, a sack and a blocked field goal.

"I felt energetic, my confidence raised," Scandrick said. "I'm not playing to not make mistakes now. Now I'm playing to make plays. I expect to have a tremendous year."

The 5-foot-10, 193-pound Scandrick arrived in 2008, the same season Jenkins was taken in the first round. Jenkins' signing bonus alone was bigger than Scandrick's entire deal. The various slights, combined with a supreme confidence and strong work ethic, have fueled Scandrick ever since.

Just last week, he was angry enough to hurl a helmet. He and secondary coach Dave Campo bicker constantly.

"He's happy with me today," Campo said, laughing.

Campo tested that, making sure that Scandrick's fire will still rage now that he's in a new tax bracket.

"I just said, 'Hey, you can't lose your edge,' " Campo said. "There's a fine line between the penthouse and you know the other spot. This guy is not a 6-foot, 205-pound corner that runs a 4.3. He's not a real big guy. He's got to keep the edge, be ready to play. I think he'll do that. He's smart enough to do that."

Scandrick found his niche in the nickel package, covering the slot receiver. Campo said Scandrick is among the best in the league at that difficult task.

The challenge, Campo said, is all the adjustments that have to be made within the defense depending on what they expect the offense to do. That requires lots of studying, which Scandrick does as well as anyone. Then there's the difficulty of a receiver being able to break in either direction; on the outside, cornerbacks can cheat one way or another because of the sideline.

"Some guys can do it and some guys can't," Campo said. "He's smart, tough enough and fast. That's pretty good."

He's also only 24.

"That Scandrick is a terrific player," Ryan said earlier in camp. "People want to say he's a sub guy, but this guy is really a special player. That role is very difficult. He has to be one of the smartest guys on the team and also one of the most talented. We're real fortunate. I really like Orlando. I think he should be excellent in our system."

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Leach signs three-year, $11 million deal with Ravens

HOUSTON -- All-Pro fullback Vonta Leach signed a three-year, $11 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

The Houston Texans were hoping to re-sign the 6-foot, 255-pound Leach, who was the lead blocker for Arian Foster, the NFL's leading rusher in 2010.

But the Ravens needed an escort for running back Ray Rice, especially since Baltimore expects to lose unrestricted free agent Le'Ron McClain.

"We looked at him since early this offseason, and he was definitely on our wish list," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "Vonta fits the style of offense we are building, and his type of physical play is an addition that fits. We're looking forward to getting him in here and start mixing him in right away. This is another addition where the coaches can send a big thank you to the personnel department."

General manager Ozzie Newsome, who negotiated the deal, said of Leach: "He's a Raven-type player. He's very physical and dedicated to the game. Our running game just got better."

The Houston Chronicle and KRIV-TV first reported the deal, which was confirmed by agent Ralph Vitolo on Sunday. The Ravens announced the signing late Sunday afternoon.

Houston contacted Leach immediately when free agency began, but Leach wanted to test the market after making his first Pro Bowl in 2010. Leach played the last five seasons with the Texans after signing with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2004.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Panthers, LB Johnson agree to six-year, $72 million contract

Free-agent defensive end Charles Johnson agreed to a six-year, $72 million deal to return to the Carolina Panthers, a source with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday.

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Johnson's contract, which he can't sign until Friday, comes with $32 million guaranteed, the source said. Johnson opted to re-sign with the Panthers after the NFC South rival Atlanta Falcons hotly pursued him.

The Panthers made Johnson a top priority after he shined last season in place of Julius Peppers, who left for the Chicago Bears in free agency.

"The Panthers told me the whole time they were going to come after me hard," Johnson said Tuesday after the team announced it had come to undisclosed financial terms with the player. "I had to see it to believe, but they did."

Johnson said he was "blown away" by Carolina's offer, and the money convinced him to choose the team over the Falcons and Denver Broncos, who also expressed interest.

"Could you have turned that down?" Johnson said with a laugh.

The Panthers put the full court press on Johnson. General manager Marty Hurney, coach Ron Rivera and several members of the defensive staff flew to Miami on Monday night in an effort to make sure Johnson wouldn't get away.

"A lot of people in my family were rooting for me to sign with Atlanta because it was closer to home and they could come see me play," said Johnson, a native of Hawkinsville, Ga. "But I think they understand."

Johnson had a breakout season for the Panthers in 2010, with 11.5 sacks in his first year as a starter. He had a combined 10 sacks in his previous two seasons playing behind Peppers and Tyler Brayton.

Johnson said he was impressed at how important the Panthers made him feel by bringing a good portion of the coaching staff on the trip.

"They showed so much respect for me; I wanted to show it back," Johnson said.

Aside from the money, Johnson said his love of the Charlotte community played a role in his decision.

"Once you are settled in somewhere you get comfortable," Johnson said. "Money aside, it wasn't a hard decision for me to leave because I am tied into Charlotte."

NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Hawaii governor says $4 million 'bribe' for Pro Bowl is wasteful

HONOLULU -- Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Thursday it's "so stupid" that the cash-strapped state pays millions to play host to the Pro Bowl when the money could be used for education.

Abercrombie said he opposes a deal the state made in 2009 to pay $4 million per game for the rights to hold the NFL's all-star game in Hawaii this and next year.

"You can't do things like give 4 million bucks to a $9 billion football industry and not give any money to children," Abercrombie said as he announced early-childhood education and health plans. "You've got this spectacle of these multimillionaires and billionaires out there arguing about how they're going to divide it up, and then they come and ask us to bribe them with $4 million to have a scrimmage out here in paradise.

"We've got to get our values straight and our priorities straight."

The Pro Bowl returned to Aloha Stadium this year after it was played in Miami in 2010, breaking up a 30-year run in Hawaii in which every game was a sellout.

The first-year Democratic governor and former longtime congressman said the NFL can ship the game back to Florida if it continues to require Hawaii to pay to keep it in the islands.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said the league has no comment on Abercrombie's statements.

Tourism officials said this January's Pro Bowl attracted 17,000 visitors to the state, generated $28.15 million in visitor spending and created $3.07 million in state taxes from people who traveled to attend the game.

Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who negotiated contracts to keep the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, said the game's boost to the economy helps support government programs including education.

"It creates jobs, it's an economic revenue generator, it provides positive impressions throughout the United States," said Hannemann, who ran against Abercrombie last year and now is president for the Hawaii Hotel & Lodging Association. "Honolulu is a great sports town. Sports tourism is very important to us."

But Abercrombie dismissed the economic impact of the game, saying newly enacted same-sex civil unions will do just as much to bring visitors to the state.

"Oh please. We'll get more out of civil unions in a weekend then we'll get out of those guys," he said. "We're going to market. Don't worry about marketing."

Abercrombie used the Pro Bowl as an example of ways the government could redirect money to underfunded childhood programs.

He announced Thursday he's reallocating $3 million annually from tobacco-settlement funds to revive a state program providing in-home assistance to mothers of young children.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Johnson, member of 49ers' 'Million Dollar Backfield,' dies at 81

Hall of Fame running back John Henry Johnson, who starred for the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Oilers in the 1950s and '60s, died Friday in Tracy, Calif., several relatives and close friends told the San Jose Mercury News.

Johnson, 81, had been in declining health, according to family members.

After one year in the Canadian Football League, Johnson entered the NFL in 1954 as a member of the 49ers' vaunted "Million Dollar Backfield," which also included running backs Joe "The Jet" Perry (who passed away in April at 84) and Hugh McElhenny and quarterback Y.A. Tittle. The group remains the only full-house backfield to have all four of its members enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

"I was deeply saddened to hear of John Henry Johnson's passing," 49ers owner John York said in a statement released by the team. "He was a good friend, not only to my family and me, but the entire 49ers organization. As a member of 'The Million Dollar Backfield,' he holds a cherished place in both 49ers and NFL history. His contributions to the game of football will be forever celebrated. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the entire Johnson family."

In 1957, the 49ers traded Johnson to the Lions, who won the NFL championship that year. He was dealt to the Steelers, who originally drafted him, in 1960, then had his finest statistical seasons, running for 1,141 yards in 1962 and 1,048 yards in 1964. He was the first Steeler to break the 1,000-yard barrier.

Johnson spent the 1966 season with the AFL's Oilers before retiring. At that time, he trailed only Jim Brown, Jim Taylor and Perry on the NFL's career rushing yards list. Johnson now ranks 55th.

Johnson also made 186 receptions for 1,478 yards, and he scored 55 touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl four times, in 1955, 1963, 1964 and 1965.

Johnson wasn't just a good runner and pass catcher. He also was a feared blocker, leading Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne, who played with Johnson in Detroit and Pittsburgh, to say: "John Henry is my bodyguard. Half the good runners will get a passer killed if you keep them around long enough. But a quarterback hits the jackpot when he gets a combination runner-blocker like Johnson."

Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

"I speak on behalf of all of John Henry's fellow Hall of Famers, our board and staff, in sending our condolences to the Johnson family," Steve Perry, the Hall of Fame's president and executive director said in a statement. "John Henry's place in football history as one of the game's most punishing runners and greatest blockers will forever be remembered through his bronze bust in the Hall of Fame."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Report: Qualcomm Stadium requires nearly $80 million in fixes

The San Diego Chargers' stadium needs a costly facelift, a finding that further clouds the team's future in the city.

Qualcomm Stadium, the Chargers' home field since 1967, needs $79.8 million in maintenance, repairs and improvements over the next seven years, according to a new report obtained Friday by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Qualcomm Stadium has been the San Diego Chargers' home since 1967. (Julia Robertson/Associated Press)

The two-part study, conducted for the city of San Diego, says the city will continue to lose more than $10 million per year operating the stadium through 2020 regardless of whether the Chargers stay, move to a new site in San Diego or leave the county.

Chargers spokesman Mark Fabiani believes the city has some tough decisions to make.

"We believe we've presented some better alternatives," Fabiani said after reviewing the report Friday. "If people don't want to pursue those alternatives, then obviously the city has to make decisions about what to do with the building, and the decisions will only get more difficult as the building gets older.”

The report concluded that the stadium needs repairs including $18 million in mechanical issues, $17 million in site repairs and $12 million in plumbing. A new video display board would come with a $9.6 million price tag.

The Chargers' lease runs through 2020, but the team can break it at any time by paying an early termination fee, which presently sits at approximately $24 million. The Chargers have been on the hunt for a new home for years, and they continue to be in talks with Mayor Jerry Sanders to build a new downtown stadium near Petco Park, home of baseball's San Diego Padres since 2004.

Sanders released a statement on the study highlighting the difficult position in which the city finds itself.

"It's certainly no secret that Qualcomm Stadium is one of the oldest stadiums in the country and will consume an ever-increasing amount of taxpayer dollars to maintain it," the statement reads. "That's just one of the reasons we're working with the Chargers to develop a multiuse sports complex proposal that we can present to the voters. ... The proposal will, of course, take into account the financial implications of leaving Qualcomm Stadium and converting the site to other uses."

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