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| Wednesday, July 23 Updated: July 24, 2:04 PM ET Draft picks Rogers, Bailey sign with Lions Associated Press |
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ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Charles Rogers signed a six-year contract, including a signing bonus of $14.4 million, with the Detroit Lions on Wednesday.
Rogers will make $40 million over the six years, and with incentives he could make as much as $54.6 million, a source within the league involved in the contract negotiations told The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The second overall pick in the draft, Rogers' signing means the NFL's first four picks are all signed. Rogers just missed the team's reporting deadline, but attended a meeting for rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans and will join them for workouts on Thursday. The entire team reports to training camp on Saturday, and will begin two-a-day sessions Sunday. Detroit also signed its second-round pick, linebacker Boss Bailey, to a five-year contract. Quarterback Carson Palmer, the No. 1 pick, signed with Cincinnati just before the draft in April. The third selection, receiver Andre Johnson, signed with the Houston Texans on Tuesday. The New York Jets signed the fourth pick in the draft, defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, on Sunday. The last time Detroit did not have a first-round pick report on time was 1997, when Bryant Westbrook missed most of training camp before agreeing to terms. Detroit drafted Rogers, a former Michigan State star, to fill the big-play void it has lacked on offense since Barry Sanders retired just before the 1999 season. The Lions also have a young, promising quarterback in Joey Harrington to throw to Rogers. Rogers, who can run the 40-yard dash in less than 4.3 seconds, caught a school-record 68 passes for 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Spartans last season. He skipped his senior season to enter the draft. "I'm here, that's the greatest thing," Rogers said. "Camp hasn't started yet, and I'm ready to go." |
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