Henry signs with the Broncos

Travis Henry has landed in running back paradise.

The Denver Broncos have churned out one 1,000-yard tailback after another under Coach Mike Shanahan, and Henry hopes to be next after signing a five-year deal Monday with $12 million in guaranteed bonuses. The terms were provided by a person familiar with the deal who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to disclose the details.

Denver has produced a 1,000-yard running back in 11 of Shanahan’s 12 seasons in charge.

Henry was released by the Tennessee Titans on Saturday after the two sides couldn’t restructure a contract that contained an $8.3-million bonus that was due Monday. He rushed for 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns last season for Tennessee.

The Broncos were in the market for a running back after dealing last season’s leading rusher, Tatum Bell, to Detroit -- along with offensive lineman George Foster and a fifth-round pick -- for cornerback Dre’ Bly.

The Broncos also signed special teams player/fullback Paul Smith to a three-year deal, Smith’s agent Steve Baker confirmed.

Free-agent offensive lineman Leonard Davis and the Dallas Cowboys finalized a nearly $50-million, seven-year deal.

Davis wasn’t re-signed by the Arizona Cardinals, who took him with the second overall pick out of Texas in 2001.

The Cowboys also re-signed kicker Martin Gramatica, who came to Dallas after Mike Vanderjagt was released in November, to a two-year deal.

Brad Johnson, the quarterback for Tampa Bay in 2002 and a 15-season veteran with three teams, signed a three-year contract with Dallas, his agent, Phil Williams said. The Cowboys didn’t confirm that signing.

Quarterback Joey Harrington and tight end Randy McMichael were released by the Miami Dolphins, who also dealt receiver Wes Welker to the New England Patriots for their second- and seventh-round draft picks in April.

Dallas receiver Terrell Owens had surgery on his right ring finger and is not expected to catch passes until training camp.... Veteran quarterback Kerry Collins, who began last season as Tennessee’s starter, re-signed with the Titans as the backup to Vince Young.... Receiver Ashley Lelie signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Lelie caught 28 passes for Atlanta last season.... The Chicago Bears reached a preliminary agreement to trade running back Thomas Jones to the New York Jets for a second-round draft pick.... The Houston Texans signed running back Ahman Green, who rushed for 1,059 yards with Green Bay last season.

MISCELLANY

Penguins decide

to pursue relocation

The NHL’s Penguins moved a step closer to leaving Pittsburgh, declaring an impasse in their new arena negotiations with state and local leaders and saying they will actively pursue relocation. The breakdown in arena talks came only three days after Gov. Ed Rendell said he felt an agreement was close. It also increases the possibility the Penguins will be playing in Kansas City next season.

Team owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle put the blame for the impasse on government officials, arguing they agreed to pay $120 million over 30 years to help build a $290-million arena and cover construction cost overruns, yet still have not reached a deal.

An appeals committee upheld penalties levied against Matt Kenseth and Kasey Kahne after NASCAR caught their teams cheating at the Daytona 500. The crew chiefs for both drivers were suspended four races and fined $50,000 each. Each driver was docked 50 points.

As part of its effort to ensure the integrity of academic credentials used by some high schools in the initial eligibility process, the NCAA will no longer accept the core courses, grades and graduation from four high schools.

The records from Lutheran Christian Academy (Philadelphia), Prince Avenue Preparatory Academy (Pickens, S.C.), American Academy High School (Miami) and Florida Preparatory Academy (Port Charlotte, Fla.) will no longer be accepted.

The UCLA women’s gymnastics team moved up to No. 5 in the NCAA rankings after upsetting previously second-ranked Georgia, 197.150-197.000 before 4,552 in Pauley Pavilion on Sunday. UCLA’s last competitor, freshman Anna Li, scored a career-high 9.9 on the floor exercise to enable the Bruins to end Georgia’s 27-meet, 57-opponent unbeaten streak.

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour will kick off the 2007 season with a tournament April 13-15 at Miami. Southern California stops will be May 3-6 in Huntington Beach, May 17-20 in Hermosa Beach, July 19-22 in Long Beach and Aug. 9-12 in Manhattan Beach.

Former champion Doug Swingley withdrew from the Iditarod Sled Dog Race after injuring himself in a fall. Swingley won in 1995, 1999, 2000 and 2001.