PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : $27 Million May Help Kosar’s Confidence

Cleveland Brown quarterback Bernie Kosar, who was benched part way through each of his last two games, apparently has received a $27-million, seven-year vote of confidence.

The Akron Beacon Journal reported that Kosar had agreed to a new contract worth an average of $3.85 million through 1999. Under his previous contract, Kosar was to receive $2.2 million this year, $2.25 million in 1994 and $2.5 million in 1995. Team spokesman Kevin Byrne refused to confirm or deny the deal. Kosar also refused to discuss the matter.

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The Indianapolis Colts are suing veteran center Ray Donaldson to collect $100,000 it claims he owes them, plus interest and legal fees. A lawsuit filed Wednesday in Marion Superior Court said Donaldson, 35, a five-time Pro-Bowler and now the starting center for the Seattle Seahawks, failed to make a scheduled payment on a $200,000 loan he received from the team.

Kansas City Chief cornerback Dale Carter was arrested and released after a shootout outside a Kansas City nightclub. Carter and two passengers were in a truck about 1:30 a.m. when they were fired upon, police said. One of the men in the truck returned fire. No one was injured.

Rape charges against Atlanta Falcon defensive back Bruce Pickens were dropped. Pickens was arrested Tuesday after a 26-year-old woman filed a complaint saying Pickens had assaulted her at his apartment Sept. 17. She withdrew the charges Thursday in Atlanta Municipal Court, police said.