Polamalu Signs With Pittsburgh

Troy Polamalu’s first day with the Pittsburgh Steelers might turn out to be the longest day of his NFL career.

The former USC standout signed an $8.3-million, five-year contract with the Steelers on Monday after an all-night flight from the West Coast, then rushed through several meetings before an afternoon practice.

“He’s going on adrenaline now ... we’ll throw some more meetings at him tonight,” Coach Bill Cowher said.

Polamalu, who is expected to replace Lee Flowers at strong safety, reached terms three days after training camp opened but only a day after the team’s first practice in pads.

“I was so nervous, I wanted to get here on time,” said Polamalu, who kept urging his agent to finish the deal. “I didn’t want the veterans to look down on me for not being here.”

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Running back Jamel White of the Cleveland Browns felt “wobbly” and was kept out of practices after being hit twice during weekend drills.

White hasn’t been told whether he has a concussion. He had an MRI exam and X-rays Monday. Coach Butch Davis said the results were negative and White should be back on the field soon.

“As soon as the headaches subside, he’ll be back to practice,” Davis said.

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The Boston Globe and Boston Herald reported Monday that the New England Patriots agreed to terms with free-agent fullback Larry Centers, who spent the last two seasons with the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots would confirm only that they had spoken with Centers, who has 808 receptions for 6,691 yards and 27 touchdowns in 13 seasons. He holds NFL records for catches and yards receiving for a running back.

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Defensive back Jason Sehorn of the St. Louis Rams had surgery on his broken left foot, an injury expected to sideline him 10 weeks.

“Realistically, getting back to running and cutting and being able to take the pounding, 10 weeks is probably a safe estimate,” team physician Matt Matava said.

Sehorn signed a $1-million free-agent deal with the Rams in the spring after nine seasons with the New York Giants. He was in the midst of making a transition from cornerback to free safety with the Rams.

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Defensive lineman Larry Smith was released from a hospital, a day after collapsing twice on the field because of heat during the Jacksonville Jaguars’ training camp.

The Jaguars said the 6-foot-5, 310-pound defensive lineman would return to the team today, although no decision was made as to whether he would practice.

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A standoff continued between defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson, who is scheduled to make a team-high $3.5 million this season, and the Washington Redskins, who believe that’s too much money to pay for a player who had a career-low 17 tackles and no sacks last season.

The Redskins want Wilkinson to take a pay cut and are keeping him off the practice field, ostensibly to avoid being liable for the $3.5 million if he gets injured.

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The Cleveland Browns agreed to contract terms with center Jeff Faine, a three-year starter at Notre Dame and their first-round draft pick.

Faine, who is expected to move directly into the starting lineup, ended a one-week holdout by agreeing to terms on a contract that team President Carmen Policy said was worth more than $7 million and was structured as a seven-year deal with two voidable years based on playing time and incentives.

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The Arizona Cardinals reached a contract agreement with first-round draft pick Calvin Pace, a defensive end from Wake Forest, on a four-year deal worth about $8 million.

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Atlanta Falcon cornerback Tod McBride probably will be sidelined from four to six weeks after breaking his left thumb at practice.