Deuce Lutui pledges to lose weight
Deuce Lutui insists he has a new commitment to losing weight, that the debacle that was his free agency flop in Cincinnati has opened his eyes.
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Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt says the guard had better be serious, because the Cardinals are not going to be patient as Lutui tries to take off the pounds that cost him millions of dollars when he flunked his physical with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Lutui, who signed a two-year deal with Cincinnati, weighed in at 381 pounds, and that was enough for the Bengals to send him toward the door. The Cardinals gave him a one-year deal and Whisenhunt gave him a strong talking to once the big lineman arrived on Monday night.
And, the coach said, it wasn't "over a meal."
"I see a commitment but I've got to see it over time," Whisenhunt said. "That's the big thing. I made it very clear to him about that. ... Deuce seems willing to work at that but our patience is not going to be very much. I'm not going to have a lot of patience with that."
This isn't a new issue. Lutui reported to camp overweight a year ago and it's been an ongoing problem.
"I guarantee it's a renewed commitment," he said. "It's everything that says 'Hey, this is my integrity.' I'm doing this because you're telling me but it is for myself, my whole health and everything like that."
Colts' top draft choice Castonzo signs
The Colts announced Tuesday they had signed their first-round draft pick, left tackle Anthony Castonzo, and free-agent linebacker Ernie Sims, Detroit's first-round pick in 2006.
Castonzo, taken 22nd overall, is expected to protect Peyton Manning's blind side and was the last unsigned pick in the Colts' draft class.
Castonzo started a record 54 games at Boston College and was a third-team All-American last season. The contract holdout kept Castonzo out of two light practices Monday and a special teams workout Tuesday. Castonzo did partice Tuesday afternoon.
"I am excited to get into camp and get to work with my teammates," Castonzo said in a statement issued by the team. "I know there is a lot for me to learn and I am going to do whatever I can to get on the field."
Caldwell said he was the only draft pick who had been given a playbook. He got that during the brief period when the lockout was lifted in April.
Indianapolis also waived linebacker Darry Beckwith to open a roster spot Tuesday.
The Colts also agreed to a one-year deal with former Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris.
Harris, a three-time Pro Bowler, was drafted 14th overall in 2004.
Browns sign first-round pick Taylor
Phil Taylor signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns, the team announced Tuesday night.
The first-round pick from Baylor ended a four-day holdout that was beginning to become worrisome. Terms of the deal were not immediately known.
Taylor, the No. 21 overall pick in this year's NFL draft, will immediately report to the Browns, who have plenty of work to do following a 5-11 season.
The 6-foot-3, 335-pounder missed the team's first four practices of training camp in a holdout. The sticking point in negotiations was over a fourth guaranteed season for Taylor, who is expected to start in first-year Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur's 4-3 system.
Earlier Tuesday, Shurmur said Taylor's absence would have little impact on his playing time. He'll join the first-team defense right away.
"He's going to get in there," Shurmur said. "When he gets in town, he's going to get in there. That's for sure."
With Taylor in camp, all eight members of the Browns' 2011 draft class are now signed.
"We are very happy that we were able to sign Phil and now have all eight draft picks under contract," Browns general manager Tom Heckert said. "It was important to get him in here when we did, and I want to thank (agent) Peter Schaffer for all of his help in getting this deal done. It is apparent that Phil kept himself in excellent shape since we drafted him and he told us he can't wait to get started.
"He will be in meetings with the rest of the players tonight and jump right into the mix when we are back on the field Thursday."
Saints agree with top draft pick Jordan
The New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms with their top draft pick, defensive end Cameron Jordan.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis and Jordan's agent, Doug Hendrickson, confirmed Tuesday's deal. The four-year deal is worth about $7.7 million, Hendrickson said.
The 6-foot-4, 297-pound Jordan, son of former Pro Bowl tight end Steve Jordan, was taken 24th overall out of California. He is the last of the Saints' six draft picks to agree to terms.
As a senior at Cal, Jordan was credited with 62 tackles, 12.5 stops for losses and 5½ sacks while forcing three fumbles. He also was named first-team Pac-10 last year.
He could find his services in demand sooner than later. The Saints' starters at defensive end are Will Smith and Alex Brown, but Smith is expected to begin the regular season on a four-game suspension stemming from his 2008 positive test for a substance that is banned by the NFL because it is known to mask steroid use. The suspension has been delayed for about three seasons while the matter was tied up in the courts.
Jordan was the last of the Saints' six draft picks to agree to terms.
Jordan's agreement came shortly after the Saints agreed to contract terms with tight end Tory Humphrey and cornerback Terraill Lambert. No terms of their deals were released.
Raiders re-sign Satele
The Oakland Raiders have re-signed free agent center Samson Satele.
Oakland also announced it signed offensive linemen Seth Wand, Justin Smiley and Stephon Heyer on Tuesday.
Satele started 27 games the past two years for the Raiders. But he is likely returning as a backup after Oakland drafted Stefen Wisniewski in the second round to start at center.
The moves come on the same day Oakland lost All-Pro tight end Zach Miller in free agency to Seattle.
Patriots sign second-round draft picks
Second-round draft picks Ras-I Dowling and Shane Vereen have signed with the New England Patriots, the team announced Tuesday. The Patriots did not disclose contract details.
Dowling, a 6-foot-1, 198-pound defensive back, started 25 of 40 games at right cornerback at Virginia, where he was credited with 160 career tackles.
Vereen, a 5-foot-9, 205-pound running back, finished his college career at California with 2,834 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. He also caught 74 passes for 674 yards and six touchdowns.
The Patriots also announced they had signed free-agent rookie Christian Cox, a defensive end from Utah, and released quarterback Jonathan Crompton, who spent parts of 2010 on the Patriots' and San Diego Chargers' practice squads.
Rams, RB Norwood agree to deal
Running back Jerious Norwood has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the St. Louis Rams, who need a backup for Steven Jackson.
The 28-year-old Norwood is on the sideline Tuesday night as the Rams practice in 102-degree heat.
Norwood spent almost all of last season on injured reserve with the Atlanta Falcons after injuring his right knee on a kickoff return. Norwood missed six games in 2009 when he had a career-low 252 yards rushing in 10 games, including four starts.
He had a career high 633 yards rushing as a rookie in 2006 and 613 in 2007.
Jackson made his third Pro Bowl last year, rushing for 1,241 yards for third-best in the NFC. He's the franchise's career leading rushing leader with 7,948 yards.
Also, the Rams and linebacker Brady Poppinga, released by the Packers last week, have agreed to terms on a one-year contract.
The 31-year-old Poppinga played his first six seasons and was a backup the past two years. He's coming off a knee injury that limited him to six games last season.
Poppinga is expected to compete for an outside linebacker spot.
Bengals sign Jean-Gilles to 1-year deal
The Cincinnati Bengals have signed former Eagles guard Max Jean-Gilles to a one-year deal, the second time they've tried to add depth to their line in the past few days.
The contract is worth $1.15 million, a source told ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton.
Jean-Gilles played for Philadelphia the past four seasons. He was a fourth-round draft pick and started 26 games in his career, including 10 last season.
He'll be able to practice with the team on Thursday.
"Happy to have a job," he said, after signing his contract. "It was very, very stressful. Just glad today was over and I got a deal done."
Jean-Gilles became Cincinnati's backup plan on the offensive line when guard Deuce Lutui agreed to a two-year deal, then showed up overweight and failed his physical. Lutui ended up staying with Arizona on a one-year deal.
The Bengals are looking for a left guard. They're giving Jean-Gilles a chance to win a job and get a longer deal.
"That's what they're saying -- compete for the starting job and the future is in my hands," he said.
The Bengals have Bobbie Williams at right guard. Jean-Gilles is open to moving to the left side.
"I prefer right, but I can play both," he said. "I played both sides in Philly."
Ravens agree with Rabach
The Baltimore Ravens have reached a two-year agreement with former Washington Redskins center Casey Rabach.
ESPN.com's John Clayton first reported the deal.
The Ravens needed Rabach, a six-year pro, because starting center Matt Birk might need arthroscopic knee surgery and could miss a few weeks.
The 33-year-old Rabach can also play guard. He fills the void left by the departure of Chris Chester, who signed with the Redskins last week.
The Redskins cut Rabach, 33, last week.
Steelers WR Sanders has foot surgery
Pittsburgh wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders is out for at least two weeks following surgery on his left foot.
The second-year wideout underwent the procedure Monday. He wore a walking boot and walked on crutches during practice Tuesday.
Sanders broke his right foot in the team's loss to Green Bay in the Super Bowl, then had surgery on his left foot in the spring. He arrived at camp last week ready to go before experiencing discomfort in his left foot. Sanders says Monday's procedure was done to help speed up the healing process.
Sanders caught 28 passes a year ago and was penciled in as the team's third wide receiver behind Hines Ward and Mike Wallace. Antonio Brown and Limas Sweed will fill in while Sanders recuperates.
Information from ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.
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