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Brunell Is Richly Rewarded

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From Associated Press

Mark Brunell, who took the Jacksonville Jaguars to the AFC championship game in his first full season as a starting quarterback, signed a five-year contract that makes him one of the NFL’s highest-paid players.

The new contract is for $30.5 million and includes a $10-million signing bonus.

Brunell, 26, signed Sunday night, three days after Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre signed a seven-year, $42-million deal.

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St. Louis defensive end James E. Harris has been indicted on charges of being the “money man” behind a conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

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Harris, 29, was named in a suppressed indictment released in East St. Louis, Ill. Officials said Harris appeared in federal court in Peoria, where he was released on bond pending a hearing Aug. 8 before a federal judge.

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Buffalo defensive end Bruce Smith was arrested and charged with driving under the influence in Virginia Beach, Va. Police said they found Smith, who is holding out of the Bills’ training camp, asleep at the wheel with his car running.

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Warrick Dunn, who last week signed a six-year, $8.86-million contract as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ first-round draft pick, plans to establish a fund in his hometown of Baton Rouge, La., for the families of slain police officers.

Dunn’s mother, Betty Smothers, was an off-duty policewoman gunned down in an attempted robbery in January 1993.

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When the San Francisco 49ers visit San Diego for their exhibition opener Saturday, the focus will be on Jeff Brohm.

New 49er Coach Steve Mariucci said Steve Young will start at quarterback, but he wants a long look at Brohm, a third-year player from Louisville who might open the season as Young’s backup because first-round draft choice Jim Druckenmiller remains unsigned.

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Miami Dolphin defensive end Trace Armstrong injured his left ankle at the end of practice. The team said it expects to release X-ray results today. . . . Kansas City released defensive tackle Dan Saleaumua, 32, because of salary cap considerations after he refused to take a pay cut from $1.7 million this season. . . . Another former New York Giant joined Coach Bill Parcells with the New York Jets when guard William Roberts, 34, signed. . . . Washington signed defensive end Kenard Lang, the No. 17 overall selection, from Miami, to a five-year, $5.78-million contract. . . . Minnesota signed free-agent tight end Andrew Glover, who spent the last six seasons with the Oakland Raiders, for $275,000. . . . Jacksonville linebacker Tom McManus, who tore ligaments in his right knee Saturday, had arthroscopic surgery to determine the damage.

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