LATROBE, Pa. - No Steelers rookie has made as much money as quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. He didn't take long to start earning it.
Roethlisberger, the 11th pick in the draft, signed a six-year contract Tuesday that could be worth as much as $40-million. The contract includes $22,269,500 worth of salaries and various bonuses and $17,730,500 in incentives, including $4.875-million in playing time bonuses easily reachable for a starting quarterback.
The deal includes a Steelers record $9.009-million in bonuses: $600,000 (signing bonus, payable immediately), $1.172-million (roster bonus, payable by Aug. 10) and $7.237-million (option bonus, payable March 5).
Three hours after arriving at camp, Roethlisberger attended a quarterbacks meeting. He will be on the field for two practices today, one at a high school before a crowd that could reach 10,000.
"I'm excited, nervous, all the same feelings I had at minicamp," he said. "Once I get out and throw the first couple of passes, it will be a relief and I'm sure it will come back to me."
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Roethlisberger completed 854 of 1,304 passes for 10,829 yards at Miami (Ohio) of the Mid-American Conference, with 84 touchdown passes and 34 interceptions.
To get a larger bonus, Roethlisberger agreed to play this season for the minimum salary of $230,000. Previously, the Steelers' largest bonus was $8.1-million to former starting quarterback Kordell Stewart in 1999.
Roethlisberger was the first quarterback drafted by the Steelers in the first round since Mark Malone in 1980. He is expected to back up Tommy Maddox this season but could move into the starting job as early as 2005.
Meanwhile, the league is satisfied Jerome Bettis is not violating gambling rules. The running back submitted documents about a limited partnership in a $500-million development project that could include a horse track, hotel, townhouses, stores and slot machines.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Bettis "confirmed that, No. 1, he has no intention of violating NFL rules regarding gambling. And, No. 2, he will modify the nature of his participation in the real-estate development if we ask him to do so."
The league policy on gambling prohibits players from advertising or promoting activities "that can reasonably be perceived as constituting affiliation with or endorsement of gambling." Bettis has said he would comply with league rules.
BILLS: Offensive tackle Mike Williams failed to show for practice and will be fined by the team. President Tom Donahoe said Williams was scheduled to attend Tuesday's session after being excused Monday for personal reasons. Donahoe said Williams will be fined again if he fails to attend either of today's practices.
CHARGERS: Doug Flutie's left knee has no structural damage, and the 41-year-old quarterback expects to practice today. Rookie quarterback Philip Rivers' return isn't as imminent. Rivers is the only top-five draft pick not in a training camp. Jimmy Sexton, Rivers' agent, declined to talk about specifics in the negotiations.
DOLPHINS: Prosecutors decided not to file charges against tight end Randy McMichael, who was arrested and accused of hitting his wife in late June. Assistant State Attorney Brian Trehy said he would not pursue charges against McMichael and his wife because the facts of the case probably would not have resulted in a conviction in a jury trial. McMichael had been charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant woman, a second-degree felony that is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Police arrested him and his wife at their home June 29. His pregnant wife, Cawanna, was arrested on a domestic battery charge. Charges against her were not filed.
JETS: First-round pick Jonathan Vilma injured his left calf during the morning practice and sat out the afternoon session. Coach Herman Edwards said the linebacker is day to day. Vilma, the 12th overall selection out of Miami, is vying for a starting spot with Sam Cowart in the middle.
RAIDERS: Receiver Tim Brown told some of his teammates, including Jerry Rice, he won't be playing for Oakland this season.
"What he said to the guys is that he's not going to be around anymore," Rice said after practice. "I don't know what was said, but he's not going to be here anymore. This basically is going to wake everybody up that this is a business. You can't come in and feel like you've got it made."
Brown, 38, met with owner Al Davis and has another meeting scheduled to discuss his future with the team. Brown, the longest-tenured Raider, appears resigned to likely continuing his 17-year career in another city.
TITANS: Linebacker Peter Sirmon likely will miss the season with torn ligaments in his left knee. Sirmon twisted the knee Monday in limited contact drills during the Titans' first practice in full pads. An MRI revealed torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. He will seek a second opinion Monday. With Sirmon out, third-year player Rocky Boiman will step into his starting position and middle linebacker Rocky Calmus will take over Sirmon's duties in the nickel package.
