PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Rypien, Redskins Reach Agreement

Quarterback Mark Rypien of the Washington Redskins, most valuable player in the Super Bowl, signed a contract Tuesday and will join the team for Sunday’s exhibition against the San Francisco 49ers in London.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Rypien was seeking $3.7 million per year, a figure that would put him among the NFL’s five top-paid quarterbacks. Washington was offering $12 million over four years.

“We’re prepared to make Ryp one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the league,” Washington General Manager Charlie Casserly said Monday.

Rypien’s signing leaves the Redskins with three unsigned players--No. 1 draft choice Desmond Howard, cornerback Darrell Green and tackle Jim Lachey.

The news wasn’t all good for the Redskins, however. Wide receiver Gary Clark was charged with theft in Rockville, Md., after being arrested while driving a stolen vehicle, police said.

Clark, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was stopped after allegedly speeding on Interstate 270 north of Washington, Maryland state police said.

He was released on his own recognizance and Tuesday night departed with the Redskins for London. At Dulles International Airport, Clark said he was unaware the vehicle was stolen and that he had paid for it.

“It ended up that the truck was a stolen vehicle that had been stolen a couple of times and passed on down to me,” Clark said.

Clark was charged with theft of material worth more than $300, possessing a vehicle with a defaced serial number and speeding, police said.

Bo Orlando, who rose from fourth team to starting free safety with the Houston Oilers last season, agreed to contract terms with the club and could sign as early as today.

General Manager Mike Holovak plans to go over final details of the contract with Orlando when he arrives at training camp.

Four other starting players remain unsigned--guard Mike Munchak, defensive end William Fuller, receiver Curtis Duncan and cornerback Cris Dishman.

Cornerback Frankie Smith returned to Atlanta after spending three nights at the Cleveland Clinic to have the end of his left middle finger reattached. Smith was injured during Saturday night’s 7-0 loss to the Cleveland Browns when he collided with teammate Louis Riddick and Cleveland receiver Lynn James, who suffered a back injury.

Smith probably will be sidelined a few weeks.

The Falcons also said that defensive end Tim Green will be sidelined for at least another week. He suffered an injured calf muscle on the first day of training camp.

All-Pro wide receiver Al Toon of the New York Jets underwent tests to determine the cause of heart palpitations he experienced last week and was cleared to return to practice.

Toon’s status will be monitored, and he will not play Sunday when the Jets try for their third consecutive exhibition victory, against the Green Bay Packers in Madison, Wis.

The Indianapolis Colts signed second-round draft pick Ashley Ambrose, ending threats the defensive back would defect to the Canadian Football League.

Ambrose’s agent, Frank Murtha, said the rookie from Mississippi Valley State signed a three-year contract for between $550,000 and $600,000 annually.

Meanwhile, Coach Ted Marchibroda said linebacker Quentin Coryatt, the No. 2 pick in the April draft, will sit out at least another week. Coryatt suffered an ankle injury July 22.

The Seattle Seahawks signed starting defensive end Jacob Green to a one-year contract.