Bulger gets a new deal for six years and $65 million

Marc Bulger’s numbers put him in the top tier of NFL quarterbacks and now he has a contract to match.

The St. Louis Rams signed the two-time Pro Bowler to a six-year, $65 million contract extension Friday that makes him the highest-paid player in franchise history. The contract includes $27 million in guaranteed money and puts him in a group of six quarterbacks making $10 million a year.

“He’ll be in the very upper echelon of quarterbacks,” said Tom Condon, Bulger’s agent.

The Rams tied up both of their loose ends on the first day of training camp, also reaching agreement on a five-year deal with first-round draft pick Adam Carriker.

Bulger, coming off a career year, was a no-show for a mandatory team meeting Thursday and is in the final season of a four-year, $19.1 million contract with a salary of about $4 million for this year.

“The whole time we knew it was going to get done, it was just a matter of logistics,” Bulger said.

“The numbers are one thing. It’s huge. The first contract was a life-changer and this is a life-changer.”

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The Carolina Panthers signed second-round pick Dwayne Jarrett to a four-year, $3.825 million contract, leaving only first-round pick Jon Beason unsigned on the first day of training camp.

Jarrett, a receiver from USC, will receive $1.935 million in guaranteed bonuses and incentives, making the deal one of the largest in guaranteed money for a second-round pick.

Jarrett, the 45th pick in the draft, is expected to contend for the starting receiver job vacated when Keyshawn Johnson was released in the off-season.

“He’s excited to be a Carolina Panther and looking forward to the opportunity to start opposite Steve Smith,” Jarrett’s agent, Darin Morgan, said.

Jarrett’s signing came hours after fellow second-round pick Ryan Kalil agreed to a four-year deal.

Kalil, also from USC, is expected to compete for a starting job on the offensive line.

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Michael Strahan didn’t report to the New York Giants training camp and the defensive end is considering retirement, according to General Manager Jerry Reese.

It’s believed that Strahan won’t make up his mind for several days.

“Maybe he’s tired and wants to retire,” Reese said. “If that’s what it is, we wish him god speed on that. We don’t know all the details. Let’s wait until I talk to Mike.”

Reese did add ominously: “We won’t wait too long.”

The Giants’ first-round draft pick Aaron Ross reported to training camp with a five-year, $13 million contract.

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Donovan McNabb was cleared to practice when the Philadelphia Eagles take the field for the first time today. The five-time Pro Bowl quarterback hasn’t played in a game since he tore a ligament in his right knee on Nov. 19.... Offensive tackle Joe Thomas, the No. 3 pick in the draft, agreed to terms on a six-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. The club also reached agreement on a four-year deal with cornerback Eric Wright, a second-round pick from Nevada Las Vegas who previously played at USC.

Defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, the youngest player taken in the first round since the AFL-NFL merger in 1967, signed a $17.6 million deal with the Houston Texans. Okoye was 19 on draft day and turned 20 last month.... Running back Chris Henry agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the Tennessee Titans and top draft pick Michael Griffin also signed a deal....

The Panthers suspended offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges for the first two games of the regular season, a day after his arrest on a misdemeanor assault charge.... Defensive tackle Justin Harrell, the Green Bay Packers’ first-round draft pick, agreed to terms.

No. 1 overall draft pick JaMarcus Russell and the Oakland Raiders failed to agree on a contract, forcing the quarterback to miss the team’s first practice. Russell remained at home in Mobile, Ala., as the Raiders took the field for their first training camp under Coach Lane Kiffin.

Second-round pick Zach Miller, a tight end out of Arizona State, also missed the opening session. The Raiders put running back Michael Bush, a fourth-round pick who missed almost all of last season at Louisville because of a broken leg, on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed to a deal with safety Reggie Nelson, the 21st overall pick in the draft.... The New York Jets signed veteran running back Tony Fisher, who spent last season with St. Louis after four years with Green Bay.

Speedy receiver Ted Ginn Jr., Miami’s first-round draft pick, agreed to terms on a five-year deal worth more than $13 million.