Bears Re-Sign Harris

Tommie Harris says the talks that led to his four-year, $40 million contract with the Chicago Bears were businesslike and “classy.” Speaking at a morning news conference at Halas Hall, the defensive tackle said he and Bears management kept negotiations private in reaching a deal that will keep him with Chicago through 2012. That differs from what has happened between the team and linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. They’ve both gone public with complaints and either hinted or threatened holdouts. “We didn’t try to go out there and talk about one another or dispute different things, and I feel like we did it all in-house,” Harris said. “I would never go out and talk about the Bears in front of the media or disrespect my team,” added Harris, whose deal was the richest ever for the Bears in terms of dollars per year.
Harris started 56 of his 60 career NFL games and recorded 208 tackles during his four seasons with the Bears. The three-time Pro Bowler had 13 total sacks over the last two seasons—ranking him second among defensive tackles.

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Walker Robbed, Beaten

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Javon Walker could be released from the hospital Tuesday, a day after he was beaten, robbed and left unconscious on a Las Vegas street after a night of partying, police said. A large amount of cash and some jewelry were taken from Walker, who suffered “significant injuries,” police said. Police Lt. Clinton Nichols said detectives are retracing Walker’s activities in the hours before he was found injured Monday morning on a street off the Las Vegas Strip. “That’s one of the first things we do, backtrack what he did and where he stayed,” Nichols said, adding that the investigation was still in the early stages. “We knew there was a large amount of cash taken, and some jewelry.” Nichols said he believed Walker would be released after a 24-hour stay at the hospital. A hospital spokesman said he had no immediate information about Walker’s condition. A Raiders spokesman said the team was in the process of gathering information and had no further comment. On Monday, police Officer Bill Cassell said in a statement that Walker was taken to a hospital with “significant injuries” and was in fair condition at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. Walker, 29, signed a six-year, $55 million deal with the Raiders after being released by the Denver Broncos in February.

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Giant Mix Up?

Star wide receiver Plaxico Burress is refusing to practice because the New York Giants haven't renegotiated a new contract since winning the Super Bowl. Burress reported to Giants Stadium for the mandatory minicamp Wednesday. But he says he told the coaching staff he won't work out without a new deal. Burress, who battled through an injury-hampered season last year, caught the game-winning touchdown in the Giants' stunning 17-14 victory over the undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, tight end Jeremy Shockey showed up for minicamp Wednesday, despite hints he had made last weekend with the New York media that he might skip it. Shockey, who isn't expected to participate in drills, headed for treatment with Giants trainers for the broken leg he suffered last season. ESPN

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Benson Released

The Chicago Bears waived running back Cedric Benson today. Benson played in 35 regular season games for the Bears over the past three seasons with 12 starts. He was originally acquired in the first round of the 2005 draft. “Cedric displayed a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate,” General Manager Jerry Angelo said. “As I said this past weekend, you have to protect your job. Everyone in this organization is held accountable for their actions. When individual priorities overshadow team goals, we suffer the consequences as a team. Those who fail to understand the importance of ‘team’ will not play for the Chicago Bears.” Where he might land is questionable... character is playing a much larger role for teams today. But Benson does have to go through Roger Goodell first. More to come...

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Strahan To Retire

Michael Strahan has decided to go out on top. It's been reported that Strahan has decided to retire after 15 seasons in the NFL, with a total of 141.5 sacks, and an NFL record 22.5 sacks in 2001. Strahan will be eligible for the hall of fame in five years, and looks like he'll make it in. Last season, Strahan helped the Giants achieve a superbowl season with nine sacks, and playing in all 16 games. The major networks have already started to talk to Strahan about broadcasting, which is a likely landing spot for him. Though he could have waited until the start of camp, Strahan decided this was the time to make his decision public. Though many of the Giants' players expected Strahan to retire, they will have to start adjusting to a locker room without him starting this week at their minicamp, which starts Wednesday.

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Two Already Troubled Players Get More Trouble

Cedric Benson’s rocky relationship with the Chicago Bears got murkier Saturday after the running back’s arrest on a drunken driving charge in Austin, Texas, his second arrest in little more than a month. Authorities said Benson was arrested early Saturday after he failed a field sobriety test. The former first-round draft pick was charged with driving while intoxicated and released on bond. The arrest comes a month after Benson was charged with boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest. He has said neither charge is true, and those cases are pending.

Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating its substance-abuse policy and will miss the 2008 season. Under terms of the suspension, the free agent will not be considered for reinstatement until after the season, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Saturday. It’s the third consecutive season Thurman will miss. Thurman was suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell the last two seasons after he skipped a drug test, was arrested for drunken driving and failed to meet the league’s expectations for reinstatement. He was allowed to resume working out at Paul Brown Stadium in January and was fully reinstated April 21. The Bengals released him last month.

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McFadden Signs $60M Deal

Darren McFadden, who the Raiders drafted with their first round pick has signed a six-year rookie contract worth up to $60 million with about $26 million guaranteed. McFadden ran for 4,590 yards and 41 touchdowns in three seasons with the Razorbacks, averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Though the Raiders were loaded with running backs, they decided McFadden’s talents were too big to pass up with the fourth overall pick.

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Ogden Ready To Retire

Accourding to sources, long time Ravens lineman Jonathan Ogden will announce his retirement in the next week or so. Odgen has had a nagging toe injury that still doesn't feel 100%, and has played in the league for 12 years, which also contributes to his retirement. Look for the Ravens to pick up a few offensive lineman, as they try to fill the hole he's left.

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T.O. Gets A New Deal

Terrell Owens has been on his best behavior for quite awhile. The Dallas Cowboys are doing their best to keep it that way. Both sides agreed Monday to a three-year contract extension worth around $27 million, according to a person close to the negotiations who asked to remain anonymous because it hasn’t been announced. The key to the deal may not be the length or even the money, which is close to what Randy Moss received. The best part: Owens will not be playing out the final year of his contract, eliminating a potentially explosive topic from a team that needs its attention on ending an 11-season drought without a playoff win. Word of Owens’ deal came a few hours after the Cowboys got other good news: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is allowing suspended cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones to join the club all the way up to the regular season and will decide by Sept. 1 if Jones can be fully reinstated.

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Broncos Release Henry

The Denver Broncos released running back Travis Henry on Monday, saying his commitment to the team was in question. The Broncos signed Henry to a five-year, $22.5 million contract in March 2007. He was hampered by injuries in his only season in Denver, rushing for 691 yards on 167 carries with four touchdowns. Henry injured a hamstring while running 100-yard sprints late last month. The NFL told him in September he had failed a test for marijuana and would be suspended for a year, but he challenged the test and the punishment and won. Where might he go?: The Bears are an obvious choice for this. Cedric Benson has been a bust so far, and with only Adrian Peterson (not the good one) as a backup, Henry might be a good fit.

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Taylor Calls For Press Conference Today

Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor has scheduled a news conference for 11:30 a.m. ET Sunday, the Miami Herald is reporting. Taylor is expected to to tell the media what his agent has been saying all along -- that he would like to be traded by the Dolphins to a contender. The Dolphins, who are upset that Taylor spent the offseason on the TV show "Dancing With the Stars" rather than in South Florida working out with teammates, weren't planning to have Taylor on hand when they hold a mandatory minicamp June 6-8. "I'm under contract with the Dolphins," Taylor told The Associated Press Wednesday after playing in a pro-am for the Principal Charity Classic, a Champions Tour event in Iowa. "...Football doesn't start until July and training camp, so I'll be all right. I've been in L.A. and so far removed from it. Like I said, I'll deal with that when I get there." Taylor returned home to South Florida to host his own charity golf tournament Sunday and Monday. He had been in California fielding acting offers after finishing the reality show. Miami coach Tony Sparano said last week that Taylor isn't expected to take part in any team activities through training camp. Update: Taylor gave the conference to say that he has NOT demanded a trade from the Dolphins, and he says that he will play at least one more year. He did not rule out the possibility of a pre-season trade.

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