NFL

49ers sign No.1 pick

By Times wire
Published July 26, 2005

NEW YORK - Alex Smith, the first pick in April's draft, agreed to terms Monday on a six-year, $57-million deal with the San Francisco 49ers.

Smith will receive a guaranteed $24-million, the Associated Press reported.

The agreement is expected to set off a run of signings of first-round draft picks.

The only other first-rounders to agree to terms are defensive tackle Mike Patterson with Philadelphia and offensive lineman Logan Mankins, taken by New England with the 32nd and final pick of the first round. Both signed deals Monday.

Smith is expected to compete immediately with Tim Rattay for the starting quarterback job with the 49ers, who finished 2-14 in 2004 and have gone consecutive seasons without making the playoffs for the second time since 1980.

Smith will get $4-million more in guaranteed money than Eli Manning, last year's first overall pick.

CARDINALS: The team is moving its training camp from Flagstaff because of a virus outbreak on the Northern Arizona University campus. The team said no decision had been made on where the camp will be located. Players are scheduled to gather Sunday, with workouts beginning Monday.

OBITUARY: Ray Oldham, a 10-year cornerback who won a Super Bowl ring with the 1978 Pittsburgh Steelers, died Saturday in Soddy-Daisy, Tenn., while training for a bicycle ride. He was 54.

TELEVISION: Former Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman signed a multiyear contract extension through 2011 with Fox as lead analyst for its NFL coverage. Aikman and play-by-play announcer Jack Buck will comprise Fox's top team as Cris Collins-worth last month left Fox for NBC.

[Last modified July 26, 2005, 01:17:10]