NFL
Notebook: Chargers, Rivers reach agreement on 6-year deal

By Seattle Times news services

Philip Rivers

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CARSON, Calif. — Rookie quarterback Philip Rivers ended his lengthy holdout, agreeing to terms on a six-year contract with the San Diego Chargers last night.

The contract will pay Rivers $40.5 million, including $14.25 million for signing. He can earn $10 million more in incentives.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said Rivers, a former North Carolina State standout, was driving to the team's training camp from San Diego and was expected to sign the contract no later than today.

Rivers, taken by the New York Giants with the No. 4 pick in this year's draft, was acquired by the Chargers in the deal that sent quarterback Eli Manning to New York. Manning, who played college ball at Mississippi, was selected by San Diego with the No. 1 pick.

Rivers missed four weeks of training camp and two exhibition games.

The 6-foot-5 Rivers is unlikely to get the starting job immediately. In his absence, three-year veteran Drew Brees has performed well and will likely lead the team at the start of the season.

Rivers was selected the most valuable player in five bowl games, including the Senior Bowl.

Sources say Jets' Abraham tested positive for alcohol

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — John Abraham, the New York Jets' two-time Pro Bowl defensive end, is reportedly in trouble with the league's substance-abuse program.

Abraham has been accused of testing positive for alcohol in an exam administered as part of the substance-abuse program, two people with knowledge of the situation told Newsday. Abraham is not permitted to consume alcohol under the league's treatment-and-testing program prescribed for him last season after he was involved in an alcohol-related car crash.
 
If Abraham were found to be in violation of the program, he would not be subject to a suspension because it would be his second violation, including the arrest that got him into the program. The punishment would be a $342,353 fine, the amount of four game checks. Subsequent violations could result in suspensions.

A person close to Abraham told Newsday the player passed a polygraph test stating that he did not consume alcohol. Abraham will have to appear at a hearing tomorrow at the league office to hear the case against him.

Notes

• The Jets are on the verge of signing quarterback Quincy Carter, who was released recently by the Dallas Cowboys in a controversial move, according to a New York Daily News report.

• Baltimore center Mike Flynn, who had started all but one game since becoming a starter in 2000, will miss six to eight weeks. Flynn broke his right collarbone early in the Ravens' practice session.

Meanwhile, Baltimore coach Brian Billick told ESPN that he expects retired defensive back Deion Sanders, 37, to make a decision on whether he will play for the Ravens by Aug. 30.

• New Orleans quarterback Aaron Brooks, who missed the first exhibition game, will probably miss the third as well. He reinjured a ligament in the top of his thigh against Green Bay.

Yesterday, a sore Brooks said he doubted he would do much this week in practice or in Friday's exhibition game in Chicago. The Saints open regular-season play Sept. 12 against the visiting Seahawks.

"I think it's best for me to rest it and try to get the treatment I need so I can start getting ready for Seattle," Brooks said.

• Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick missed practice because of tightness in his right hamstring.

Coach Jim Mora indicated Vick might return today and should be ready when Atlanta hosts the Cincinnati Bengals in an exhibition game Saturday.

• Linebacker Carlos Emmons of the New York Giants returned to practice after spending more than two weeks on the sideline because of pain in the leg he broke last season.

• The Carolina Panthers were relieved to find out guard Tutan Reyes has a sprained ankle rather than a broken one.

The Panthers had feared a broken bone after Reyes had to be carted off the field at Sunday's practice.

Tackle Matt Willig was taken off the field with a knee injury that turned out to be a bruise.

• Pro Bowl center Matt Birk of the Minnesota Vikings practiced for the first time since the second day of training camp.

Birk, who had surgery Aug. 4 to repair a hernia, was expected to need three to five weeks to recover. He said he hopes to be in the lineup for the Vikings' last exhibition game, which is Sept. 2 against the Seahawks at Qwest Field.

• Buffalo running back Travis Henry is listed as day to day, with bruised ribs, after missing practice. That opens the door for Willis McGahee to potentially start in the Bills' exhibition game in Indianapolis on Saturday.

Henry said when he returns, he will likely wear a protective vest.

• Charles Woodson's holdout might keep the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback out of the Oakland Raiders' season opener.

Raiders coach Norv Turner expressed doubt that Woodson, who is still away from the team, would be able to play when the Raiders start the season in Pittsburgh on Sept. 12. Turner said Sunday that he believed Woodson would be with the team before the exhibition season ended.

But Turner indicated there likely won't be enough time for Woodson to get up to speed with Oakland's new 3-4 defense in time for the opener.

• Disturbed by third-round pick B.J. Sander's struggles, Green Bay signed 40-year-old punter Bryan Barker. Barker punted for Washington the last three seasons.

• Pro Bowl punter Craig Hentrich of the Tennessee Titans will miss practice time this week because a muscle strain is causing back spasms.