Colts Lose James to Cardinals

Running back Edgerrin James joined the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, agreeing to a four-year, $30-million contract with a long-downtrodden franchise that had the worst running game in the league last season.

James, 27, became a free agent after seven seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Last month, Colt President Bill Polian admitted he was taking a gamble by letting James hit the free-agent market. And now James is gone after setting team records for rushing attempts (2,188), yards (9,226) and touchdowns (64).

“It’s a great situation. All they really need is a back,” James said at a news conference. “They’ve got an MVP quarterback [Kurt Warner], they’ve got two Pro Bowl receivers. They got a back and they’re going to shore up the offensive line.”

Then he added, “OK, it’s a risk. But hey, I’m a poker player. You can take it to the river. I’m not scared to make a change. I’m not scared to go out on a limb and try something different.”

Polian could have kept James by using the franchise tag on him for the second straight year. Instead, Polian decided against the move, which would have increased James’ salary next season to more than $10 million.

“I’m happy for him,” Colt Coach Tony Dungy told the Associated Press in Indianapolis. “He was fantastic for us the time we were here, we wish we could have kept him but you can’t keep everyone.”

James will receive $11.5 million in bonus money, making his first-year compensation $14.75 million, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. The remaining $15.25 million will be paid out over the final three years of the deal.

Last week, NFL rushing champion Shaun Alexander signed an eight-year, $62-million deal with Seattle that will pay him $18.5 million guaranteed over the first two years.

The Minnesota Vikings signed All-Pro Steve Hutchinson to the richest offer sheet for a guard in NFL history with a seven-year, $49-million deal with a $16 million bonus, a source told the Associated Press.

The Seahawks placed the transition tag on Hutchinson, 28, in the off-season, giving them a week to match the deal or lose him to the Vikings without compensation.

With $31 million in salary cap room, the Vikings have moved swiftly in free agency, signing running back Chester Taylor, kicker Ryan Longwell and linebacker Ben Leber on Saturday, the first full day the market opened. They also re-signed receiver Koren Robinson, who made the Pro Bowl as a kick returner.

The Washington Redskins snagged their second receiver in two days of free agency, agreeing to terms with Antwaan Randle El on a seven-year contract that could reportedly be worth up to $31 million.

Randle El, 26, a versatile receiver who threw a touchdown pass for Pittsburgh in last month’s Super Bowl, will receive an $11.5-million signing bonus, a league official said. The Redskins acquired receiver Brandon Lloyd in a trade with San Francisco on Saturday.

The Baltimore Ravens re-signed linebacker Bart Scott to a three-year, $13.5-million contract, including a $6.5 million bonus, after he turned down a larger, longer-term offer from the Cleveland Browns.

Scott, 25, made 10 starts last season in relief of injured All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis, recording a career-high 119 tackles and four sacks in 2005.

The Ravens also agreed to a four-year deal with defensive tackle Justin Bannan, 26, who played with Buffalo last season.

Receiver Andre’ Davis, 25, signed with Buffalo. Davis is a four-year NFL veteran who played 11 games, including two in the playoffs, for New England last season.

Davis’ place on the depth chart is a question and might depend on the team’s decision to retain or release veteran standout Eric Moulds.

Quarterback Sage Rosenfels, 28, who started one game for Miami last season, was signed by the Houston Texans.... Punter Dave Zastudil, 27, signed a five-year contract with Cleveland. Zastudil averaged a career-best 43.5 yards on 84 kicks for the Ravens last season.

CYCLING

Murrieta’s Landis Wins Paris-Nice Race

Murrieta’s Floyd Landis is making a case to become the successor to Lance Armstrong.

Landis, a 30-year-old who won the Tour of California last month, won the Paris-Nice race, showing he may be a contender for the Tour de France title. Phonak leader Landis finished the race that began March 5 in Paris in 31 hours 54 minutes 41 seconds to finish ahead of second-place Evgeni Petrov of Russia and Alberto Contador of Spain.

Landis becomes the second American to win the Paris-Nice event. CSC rider Bobby Julich won last year.

WINTER SPORTS

Snowboarder Dies in Training-Run Fall

Swedish snowboarder Jonatan Johansson died after falling during a snowboardcross run down Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks in Wilmington, N.Y.

Johansson, a 26-year-old who competed in the Turin Olympics, lost control on one of his jumps during training for an International Ski Federation World Cup competition, according to U.S. Ski and Snowboarding Assn. spokesman Tom Kelly.

A state police report said Johansson tried to correct himself but landed hard. A preliminary report found the cause of death to be multiple internal injuries.

Officials said Johansson landed within the course boundaries and was wearing a helmet. Olympic Regional Development Authority spokesman Sandy Caligiore said he did not hit a tree, a pole or any other obstacle.

Johansson was on a section of the trail by himself when he fell. He was transported to Adirondack Medical Center in nearby Lake Placid, where he was pronounced dead, according to a hospital spokeswoman. An autopsy will be performed today.

Russia 2 won the gold medal in the biathlon world championship 4x6km mixed relay competition in Pokljuka, Slovenia.

Russia 2 finished in 1 hour 16 minutes 24.8 seconds and was accurate in its shooting. Norway 1 was 53.7 seconds behind to take the silver medal. France took the bronze, 1:58.02 behind Russia 2.

TRACK AND FIELD

USC’s Powell, Williams Repeat Indoor Titles

USC seniors Virginia Powell and Jesse Williams successfully defended their titles in the NCAA indoor championships at Fayetteville, Ark.

Powell set an NCAA record by finishing in 7.84 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles. Last season, Powell won indoor and outdoor titles in the hurdles.

Williams cleared 7 feet 6 in the high jump to earn the school indoor record and continue his bid to duplicate his feat last season of becoming the first Trojan to win the men’s indoor and outdoor titles in the same season.

Maria Mutola finished in 1:58.90 in the 800 meters at the world indoor track and field championships at Moscow to win her record seventh world indoor title and 10th world gold overall.

Overall, Russia led the standings for the second straight time with 18 overall medals, including eight gold. The U.S. was second with 13 overall medals and seven gold.

Walter Davis had the best final-day effort for the U.S., winning the triple jump in 58 feet 2 inches for the sixth best indoor jump of all time.

SWIMMING

Schubert Steps Down as Trojans’ Coach

Mark Schubert will step down as USC swimming coach after being named coach and general manager of the USA national team.

Schubert had been head coach at USC for 14 years.