Steelers, Harrison agree to a $51.75-million deal

James Harrison isn’t one of the NFL’s biggest bargains any longer.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ outside linebacker reached terms Monday on a $51.75-million, six-year contract that will make him the second-highest-paid player in franchise history.

The contract, set to be announced today, will pay the NFL defensive player of the year a guaranteed $20 million -- more than any other player in team history except Ben Roethlisberger. The quarterback signed a $102-million, eight-year contract last year that will pay him a guaranteed $36 million.

Harrison broke into the Steelers’ lineup in 2007 and had 8 1/2 sacks. He had a Steelers record 16 sacks in 15 games last season, and his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown -- the longest scoring play in Super Bowl history -- helped the Steelers beat Arizona 27-23 for their second NFL championship in four seasons.

Kansas City added another veteran linebacker to its rebuilding roster when it signed free agent Zach Thomas. . . . The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed quarterback Byron Leftwich as a free agent. Leftwich was a backup for the Steelers last season.

JURISPRUDENCE

Bills’ Whitner is formally charged

Buffalo Bills defensive back Donte Whitner was formally charged with aggravated disorderly conduct and resisting arrest resulting from an altercation at a Cleveland nightclub early Saturday.

Police used a stun gun on the 23-year-old Whitner outside the House of Blues and then handcuffed him after he forced his way past them.

Former NBA player Kirk Snyder has been indicted on charges stemming from a break-in at a neighbor’s home last month in southwest Ohio. . . . Michigan State running back Glenn Winston has been sentenced to six months in jail in a fight that briefly put a hockey player in the hospital. . . . Hawaii women’s basketball coach Jim Bolla is suing the university for wrongful termination. Bolla alleges he was fired in retaliation for complaining about Title IX violations.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Fla. International courting Thomas?

Isiah Thomas is on the verge of starting his coaching career over at Florida International.

The former New York Knicks coach is deliberating whether to take over the school’s basketball program, a person with knowledge of the search told the Associated Press.

The school fired coach Sergio Rouco earlier in the day.

UCLA seniors Darren Collison and Josh Shipp were selected as most valuable players at the team’s awards banquet. Fellow senior Alfred Aboya was selected defensive player of the year and guard Jrue Holiday was selected most valuable freshman. . . . Junior guard Sherron Collins and sophomore center Cole Aldrich say they’re staying at Kansas instead of jumping to the NBA, meaning the Jayhawks will return every major contributor from their Big 12 Conference title team. . . . Memphis junior forward Shawn Taggart, who averaged 10.4 points and 7.6 rebounds, has made himself available for the NBA draft but has not hired an agent. . . . David Huertas, Mississippi’s leading scorer and a second-team all-Southeastern Conference selection, has quit school and returned to Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rican newspaper, El Vocero, says Huertas has signed to play with a pro team, the Quebradillas Pirates of the Superior National Basketball League. . . . Sophomore guard Jonathan Wills, a graduate of Lakewood Mayfair High, will transfer from New Mexico at the end of the spring semester. Coach Steve Alford said Wills wants to be closer to home and his family. . . . Portland State has promoted Tyler Geving, 35, to men’s basketball coach, replacing Ken Bone, who left to coach at Washington State.

ETC.

Masters’ ratings are slightly down

Television ratings for the final round of the Masters are down slightly from last year.

This year’s final round fell on Easter Sunday, when fewer people were watching TV. CBS said its coverage drew a fast national rating of 8.3 and a 20 share. It earned an 8.6/18 in 2008.

The Colorado Avalanche have fired general manager Francois Giguere after the team finished last in the Western Conference.