Rice Ends Holdout and Joins Cardinals

Defensive end Simeon Rice, the first-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals, ended his holdout Friday and signed a four-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed and it was not immediately clear when Rice, the third overall pick in the draft, will join the team.

Arizona has been in San Diego since Wednesday for joint practices with the Chargers leading into tonight’s exhibition.

Rice, who played at Illinois, was one of three draft picks that missed all of the Cardinals’ 23-day preseason camp. Still unsigned are tight end Johnny McWilliams, a third-round choice, and defensive tackle Mike Foley, a sixth-rounder.

*

His contract impasse over and $12.7 million awaiting him, Tim Biakabutuka began trying to become a cornerstone of the Carolina Panthers’ offense and win over angry fans.

“I’m going to work hard and try to change those boos into cheers,” said Biakabutuka, the eighth overall selection in the NFL draft. “That’s all I can do right now.

Biakabutuka, who spent the afternoon being briefed by coaches in Charlotte, N.C., said he will be on the sidelines for tonight’s exhibition against the Buffalo Bills.

Biakabutuka will receive a $3.1-million signing bonus and $2 million in roster bonuses payable in 1999 and 2000. Biakabutuka’s base salaries are to range from $617,000 this year to $1.5 million in 2002. The final year of the pact can be voided if Biakabutuka rushes for at least 1,100 and 800 yards in any two of the first five seasons.

*

The Dallas Cowboys say Deion Sanders won’t be a two-way starter for them--at least not yet. Deion thinks he can do it, but he hasn’t sold the coaches on it yet.

Coach Barry Switzer said Sanders, a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback, will start at flanker in the Sept. 2 regular-season opener at Chicago. But on defense, Alundis Brice and Kevin Smith will be at cornerback. Switzer said Sanders will be used on defense in passing situations as a nickel cornerback.

*

Backup wide receiver Ricky Proehl has accepted a $250,000 salary cut to stay with the Seattle Seahawks.

Proehl, 28, agreed to have his three-year, $2.8-million contract restructured. As a result, Proehl’s 1996 salary will drop to $500,000.

Had Proehl declined to rework his contract, the Seahawks probably would have released him, just as they did center Jim Sweeney when he refused to accept a pay cut last month.