Pace Signs and Rejoins Rams
The St. Louis Rams’ offensive line got a big boost Tuesday when left tackle Orlando Pace ended his holdout and signed a one-year contract as the team’s franchise player, the Rams said.
The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Pace was expected to sign for the franchise tender offer of $5.73 million.
“I’m just glad to have him in here,” Coach Mike Martz said. “I know that for players that business aspect is very difficult, and as a coach you can’t draw any conclusions.
“He’s got to do what he’s got to do, but once he’s here he’s ours, and that stuff is all aside now.”
Pace, the top pick in the 1997 draft, has been named to the Pro Bowl in four of his six seasons, all with the Rams. He battled injuries last season that limited him to 10 games, but he still was named to the Pro Bowl.
Pace practiced with the Rams on Tuesday. Martz said he reported in good condition and would play Thursday when St. Louis plays Kansas City in the preseason finale.
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Two days after Bill Romanowski seriously injured teammate Marcus Williams during a fight in practice, the Oakland Raiders’ controversial linebacker was apologetic.
“I hold myself accountable,” Romanowski said of his latest episode of bad behavior. “It was a classless move by me.”
An apology might not be enough for Williams, whose eye socket was broken in the fight. The reserve tight end was put on injured reserve -- and he hasn’t ruled out legal action, according to his agent, Lee Kolligian.
“Is there any excuse for potentially ending a player’s football career?” Kolligian asked. “He’s kind of waiting to see the extent of the damage.”
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Defensive tackle Lional Dalton was traded from the Denver Broncos to the Washington Redskins, then had to be carted off the field with heat-related symptoms on a sauna-like day during his first practice with his new team.
“I picked a great day to come back,” Dalton said. “I had a long flight. I was a little dehydrated. I didn’t eat lunch or breakfast. I had Gatorade, that’s about it. I think I need to hydrate myself and eat before practice next time.”
Dalton was not hospitalized, and the team hopes he can play in Thursday night’s exhibition game at Jacksonville.
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Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City’s four-time Pro Bowl tight end, injured his left knee during practice when he was hit while reaching for a pass.
Coach Dick Vermeil said early indications were that the injury did not threaten Gonzalez’s season or career.
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Seattle Seahawk defensive tackle Chad Eaton, who has had two operations on his right knee since May, was put on injured reserve, suggesting his season is over.
Coach Mike Holmgren, though, said he couldn’t rule out Eaton’s return.
“There are options we have at the club’s disposal, if Chad’s willing to do some things,” Holmgren said. “We just have to see. It would be premature to talk about any right now.”
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San Francisco 49er defensive tackle Josh Shaw was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Shaw, a second-year pro from Michigan State, left the team to enter the league’s substance abuse rehabilitation program. He will be eligible to return to the 49ers on Sept. 29.
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The Carolina Panthers cut quarterback Randy Fasani and tight end Keith Heinrich and put wide receiver Nathan Black, defensive tackle Josh Taves and wide receiver Terrence Wilkins on injured reserve.... The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released receiver Jacquez Green and offensive tackle Anthony Davis.... The Baltimore Ravens traded safety Anthony Mitchell to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a conditional 2004 draft pick.... The New York Jets signed Jamie Martin to bolster their depth at quarterback after the loss of starter Chad Pennington.