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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 5, 2003
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Jerry Rice signed a six-year, $30-million contract extension that will give the Raiders more salary-cap room.
Tim Brown, the longest-tenured Raider with all 15 of his seasons in Oakland, also signed an extension -- which means the league's oldest receiving tandem will stay together.
If the 40-year-old Rice were to play out the contract, which is unlikely, he would play until he's 46. Last season, he suggested he might play until he was 45.
"Coupled with Jerry Porter, they were as productive as any receiver trio in recent memory," senior assistant Bruce Allen said Tuesday. "We're happy to have them back, and I'm sure Rich Gannon is as well."
The AFC champions were more than $30-million over the salary cap heading into the offseason, with some estimates as much as $50-million.
Rice received a signing bonus, and the deal is "backend loaded," his agent, Jim Steiner said, meaning much of his salary would be paid out in the final years.
Rice had 92 catches for 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns in his 18th season.
Brown, 36, "signed a very similar deal" to Rice's, according to Steiner. Brown's agent, Marvin Demoff, did not immediately return calls for comment.
Brown reached his first Super Bowl last season and had 81 catches for 930 yards and two touchdowns to help the Raiders win their third straight AFC West crown.
"Tim has been a great Raider for many years and Jerry looks good in black, doesn't he?" Allen said. "They've been playing well for us and there's no reason to expect anything else in the future."
The team also re-signed running back Zack Crockett and offensive tackle Brad Badger.
CHIEFS: Cornerback Dexter McCleon, who lost his starting job with the Rams, agreed to terms.
COWBOYS: Fullback Richie Anderson signed a three-year deal.
DOLPHINS: Punter Mark Royals signed a one-year contract to remain with the team.
GIANTS: Veteran punter Jeff Feagles, formerly of the Seahawks, and long snapper Ryan Kuehl of the Browns agreed to terms.
LIONS: The team told the league's committee on diversity that they tried to interview minority candidates before hiring new coach Steve Mariucci. Owner William Ford Jr. and president Matt Millen met for 90 minutes with the committee. Chairman Dan Rooney, who criticized the team after the hiring, declined to elaborate. Mariucci was the only person interviewed for the job after Marty Mornhinweg was fired Jan. 27. The Lions maintain the minority candidates turned down interviews because it appeared inevitable that Mariucci, the former San Francisco coach, would be hired. "There was a misconception that we had a deal with Steve Mariucci signed, sealed and delivered, and we did not," Ford said.
PATRIOTS: Veteran cornerback Tyrone Poole, a starter last season with the Broncos, signed a four-year contract, ESPN reported. The team also re-signed restricted free agent cornerback Ben Kelly.
RAVENS: Free-agent cornerback Corey Fuller, who played the past four seasons with the Browns, signed a three-year contract.
REDSKINS: Safety Matt Bowen signed an offer sheet, giving the Packers seven days to decide whether to match the offer to the restricted free agent. The team also is talking with the agent for Jets kick returner Chad Morton.
SEAHAWKS: Linebacker Anthony Simmons re-signed to a five-year, $23-million deal.
TEXANS: Linebacker Jay Foreman, the team's leading tackler during its inaugural season, signed a five-year contract.
VIKINGS: Former Green Bay defensive lineman Billy Lyon agreed to contract terms.