Pace Reports to the Rams

Orlando Pace really cut it close this year.

The five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle will get only four days of practice to prepare for the St. Louis Rams’ opener after signing a one-year contract for $7.02 million late Sunday night and hitting the field on Monday.

Pace missed most of training camp last year and all of it this season in retaliation for being designated with the franchise tag. The first overall pick of the 1997 draft has been seeking a long-term contract.

“We’re all excited to have Orlando back, and I know he feels good about being back too,” Coach Mike Martz said. “It’s a relief to have him here, and we’re all just very pleased he’s here and we can get going.”

Pace had no comment, before and after his first practice.

Martz said four practices will have to be enough for Pace. He pointed out that Pace reported in shape, 16 pounds beneath his 2003 playing weight of 325 pounds, and that the Rams have not changed calls or terminology.

Also Monday, the Rams signed safety Zack Bronson, who was released in June by the San Francisco 49ers.

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Drew Brees kept his job as starting quarterback of the San Diego Chargers, a move that was expected after he followed last season’s miserable performance with a solid exhibition season.

Doug Flutie, 41, who accounted for half of the Chargers’ four wins last year, will be the backup. Philip Rivers, the fourth pick in April’s draft who missed 29 practices during a contract holdout, will be the third-stringer. The Chargers also will carry Cleo Lemon on the active roster.

“It doesn’t really change anything for me,” said Brees, the four-year veteran who’s 4-16 in his last 20 starts. “There’s still a lot of work ahead, and that’s what I’m focused on.”

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After announcing 12 player cuts, Indianapolis Colt Coach Tony Dungy said the Colts were interested in quarterback Tim Couch, the No. 1 pick in 1999 who was cut Sunday by Green Bay.

“I’m sure we’ll take a look at Tim Couch,” Dungy said. “He played in a similar system to what we have when he was in Cleveland. He was the first pick in the draft. He played well both times we played against him, and I think it’s something we’ll talk about.”

Dungy’s comments came on the same day the Colts made a surprise move by waiving guard Steve Sciullo, who started 13 games last season, so they could claim Ryan Lilja off waivers from Kansas City.

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After sitting out training camp and all four exhibition games because of an injured foot and a hamstring problem, New York Giant Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey declared himself fit.

Shockey said he could have played in the Giants’ final exhibition game against Baltimore, but decided to rest until the season opener against NFC East rival Philadelphia on Sunday. He vowed to start.

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Arizona defensive tackle Wendell Bryant has been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.... Standout tackle Walter Jones signed a one-year deal and joined the Seattle Seahawks for practice. Jones, designated the team’s franchise player, missed training camp while waiting for a long-term contract offer.