McNabb Is Signed but Not Delivered

Donovan McNabb spent Saturday, his first day as the highest-paid player in Philadelphia Eagle history, in much the same fashion as the previous week or so.

No helmet. No pads. No football. More waiting.

McNabb’s seven-year, $54 million contract, which he agreed to late Friday night, was so long and complicated (32 pages) that by the time the NFL let him sign it, it was too late to join his new team on the field for practice sessions at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., where temperatures were nearly 100 degrees.

McNabb was excused from the morning workout, so he stayed at his home in Cherry Hill, N.J., until mid-morning. And then he could not practice in the afternoon because NFL lawyers required some language in the contract reworded.

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Bryant Young’s recovery from a broken right leg is ahead of schedule and the 49ers’ defensive tackle hopes to be ready to play in San Francisco’s regular-season opener Sept. 12 at Jacksonville. Young suffered the injury against the New York Giants last Nov. 30. . . . San Diego Charger free safety Darren Perry, a seven-year veteran, retired, telling Coach Mike Riley it was because of an ailment in his right shoulder. Perry joined the Chargers as an unrestricted free agent from Pittsburgh, signing a $3.25-million, two-year contract. . . . The Chargers leave today for Sydney, Australia, where they play the Denver Broncos in the American Bowl next Saturday.

Center Dermontti Dawson suffered a knee injury during a pileup in a practice session at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. The preliminary diagnosis was a medial collateral ligament sprain. . . . Giant wide receiver Amani Toomer, whose last-minute touchdown catch knocked the Denver Broncos from the undefeated ranks last season, has signed a new four-year, $11.2 million contract.

Wide receiver Andre Reed, the Buffalo Bills’ only holdout, is expected to arrive at camp in time for tonight’s team meeting. Reed is said to be in agreement with the Bills on a contract extension, although the team would not comment. . . . The Atlanta Falcons learned that running back Gary Downs and rookie center Todd McClure have been lost because of knee injuries. . . . Tight end Johnny Mitchell and center-guard Erik Norgard of the New York Jets have left training camp.