Cowboys Sign Williams Through 2010

The Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday signed Pro Bowl safety Roy Williams to a five-year, $25.2-million contract extension, with $11.1 million guaranteed in securing the hard-hitting run-stopper through the 2010 season.

“I am going to be a Cowboy for life,” said Williams, Dallas’ first-round pick in 2002. “I’m staying here.”

Williams, who turns 26 this month, had 81 tackles, three interceptions, 2 1/2 sacks and a touchdown last season.

He had one year left on his contract and would have become an unrestricted free agent after this season, but the new five-year deal replaces the 2006 year and adds four more.

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All-Pro cornerback Ronde Barber signed a five-year, $24-million contract extension that he hopes will let him play his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Barber, 31, was entering the final year of a six-year contract. Last season, Barber became the first cornerback in NFL history with at least 20 interceptions and 20 sacks.

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Kansas City acquired running back Michael Bennett from the New Orleans Saints for an undisclosed 2007 draft pick, but the Chiefs insisted that didn’t mean Priest Holmes would retire.

Holmes is being held out of contact drills by doctors because of a neck and spinal cord injury suffered in a game last October.

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New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi missed his fourth consecutive practice because of what Coach Bill Belichick termed “probably” a sore wrist.

The extent of the injury is unclear, but the Boston Herald reported that the wrist might be fractured and Bruschi would be sidelined at least a week while the team determined the severity of the injury.

Bruschi missed the first six games last season after suffering a mild stroke 10 days after the Patriots’ 2005 Super Bowl victory.

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New York Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey said the effects of his first concussion left him nauseous, sensitive to light, reduced his motor skills and made it difficult for him to sleep.

“Don’t get too close, I might get sick,” Shockey said in his first comments to the media since sustaining what the Giants described as a mild concussion in a collision with safety Will Demps in a Monday workout.

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The St. Louis Rams signed Moe Williams to a one-year contract, filling their need for a backup running back.

Williams spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings, where he was part of a boat party scandal last year. He was convicted of disorderly conduct, fined $300 and ordered to complete 30 hours of community service.

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Arizona Cardinals right tackle Oliver Ross will be sidelined at least three weeks, and possibly as many as 10, because of a right knee injury suffered during practice, the team said. The Cardinals were awaiting test results.