ALAMEDA, Calif. - Free-agent running back Troy Hambrick signed with the Oakland Raiders on Monday, less than a week after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys.
The former Pasco High standout joins former Pittsburgh running back Amos Zereoue, signed last month, as new backs competing to replace Charlie Garner, who signed with the Bucs. Tyrone Wheatley and Justin Fargas also are in the mix.
Hambrick became Dallas' starter in place of NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith last season, but had just 3.5 yards a carry. He gained 972 yards, ranking 19th in the league, while starting all 16 games.
The Cowboys cut him Thursday after drafting Julius Jones in the second round.
Hambrick, an undrafted free agent out of Savannah State, joined the Cowboys in 2000 and had 1,896 yards rushing and 42 receptions.
Bucs start workouts
TAMPA - School is in again for the Buccaneers.
The team resumes full-squad workouts today through Thursday at One Buc Place. More than 20 players added since the free-agent signing period began in March are expected to participate in the second round of organized team activities. The workouts, which are closed to the public, are part of the offseason program that concludes with a veteran minicamp June 22-24. Training camp begins at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista when players report July 30.
"To get these guys together is going to give us another month to prepare for training camp," coach Jon Gruden said. "Hopefully, we can get these guys on the screws in terms of their assignments so they can get in a rhythm and go out there and max out their abilities."
CBS: Shannon Sharpe retiring for TV gig
DENVER - Broncos tight end Shannon Sharpe is retiring, after all.
The league's career leader in receptions and yards at his position will replace Deion Sanders on the NFL Today pregame show, CBS spokeswoman LeslieAnne Wade confirmed.
Sharpe, who will be 36 in June, wavered on whether to return for a 15th season before announcing last month he would be back. The eight-time Pro Bowl player had expressed interest in a TV job and changed his mind about retirement when Sanders left CBS.
Sharpe will make between $800,000 and $900,000 a year, CBS Sports president Sean McManus said. Sanders quit after CBS refused to double his $1-million salary, USA Today reported.
"I love Shannon Sharpe and wish he were playing for us, but at the same time, I fully understand his taking advantage of an opportunity in his future career," Broncos owner Pat Bowlen said on the team's Web site.
The loquacious Sharpe seems to be a perfect replacement for Sanders. One of the most outspoken and entertaining players for more than a decade, Sharpe showed he can handle himself in front of a camera as an analyst during last season's playoffs. Brother Sterling was a commentator for ESPN for seven years before joining the NFL Network.
Shannon Sharpe is the career leader in receptions (815), yards (10,060) and touchdowns (62) for tight ends. He has won three Super Bowls.
RAVENS: The Supreme Court passed up a chance to settle a multimillion-dollar dispute between an artist and the NFL over a logo for the team. Frederick Bouchat sued and won a jury decision, claiming the NFL stole his idea for a Ravens logo. At a follow-up trial two years ago, jurors said he was not entitled to a share of the team's profits from merchandise. He had sought $10-million.
OBIT: Jim Colclough, an original member of the Boston Patriots and one of the top receivers in franchise history, died Sunday of complications from hepatitis C. He was 68.
- Times staff writer Rick Stroud contributed to this report.
