Raiders, McFadden Agree to $60M Contract

What does 6-years and $60 million dollars mean to you?

To Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden, that's the size of his first National Football League contract.

The deal, reached late Thursday night, contains $26 million in guaranteed money and represents a 40% increase over what last year's #4 overall pick (Gaines Adams) received.

Jets' Baker Still Unhappy

If the New York Jets don't adjust his contract, or reach a new deal with tight end Chris Baker, he will be the 3rd highest paid tight end on the roster, behind newcomers Bubba Franks and Dustin Keller.

And Baker has an interesting way of justifying his unhappiness.

"I've got a question for you: Imagine if coach Mangini were the third-highest paid coach on the staff," Baker said. "You think he would be happy about that?"

Like Laveranues Coles and Pete Kendall before him, Baker is threatening to skip training camp, or at least be a vocal distraction during it, to try to force either a new deal or a trade.

When asked by reporters if he felt he'd be a Jet when the season starts, Baker replied "My gut feeling, no."

NFL News and Notes

The New England Patriots released rookie free agent punter Mike Dragosavich on Thursday. New Patriots tackle Oliver Ross' contract is worth $730K and contained a $20K signing bonus.

Witnesses have placed Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch behind the wheel of his SUV that was involved in a hit-and-run incident last Saturday morning.

After losing three siblings to murder, Jets safety Abram Elam relies on his Faith to carry on.

A few days after Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano expressed his desire for Jason Taylor to remain with the team, Dolphins Supreme Overlord Bill Parcells said he wants Taylor back with the team in 2008.

And why wouldn't Sparano and Parcells be saying this in the days after Taylor admitted during a Sunday morning press conference that while he'd like to finish his career in Miami, he'd be open to a trade?

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger praised the "heart and determination" of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Cincinnati Bengals fifth-round defensive tackle Jason Shirley will be addressing his legal issues in his Fresno, CA and will miss the team's mandatory mini-camp next week.

It's time for Baltimore Ravens third-year wide receiver Demetrius Williams to step up.

Jacksonville Jaguars safety Gerald Sensabaugh was arrested on May 30th for reckless driving after popping wheelies on a motorcycle.

The Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams will hold joint practices before their August 9th pre-season game. The Titans also looked at a quartet of free agent safeties on Thursday, including Adam Archuleta.

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is ahead of schedule in his recovery from major knee surgery.

How much is "character" to blame for the 2007 Denver Broncos' 7-9 season? Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan thinks that once people get to know running back Michael Pittman, they'll find out he's a "guy of strong character". Within this Broncos notebook, tight end Tony Scheffler will return next week and there will be an open competition for the starting middle linebacker position.

Kansas City Chiefs veteran B.J. Sams and rookie wide receiver Kevin Robinson will likely be handling kick return duties this season. Chiefs rookie tight end Brad Cottam is learning from Tony Gonzalez.

Todd Archer of the Dallas Morning News writes that it's not unheard of for wide receivers to continue to produce after the age of 35. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will be competing today in a made-for-TV golf event at Torrey Pines in San Diego, which is known for it's "slick greens". (Romo plus slick objects usually results in disaster.)

Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell wants to establish himself as one of the league's elite quarterbacks. Redskins head coach Jim Zorn isn't used to being able to use a running back on a true pass route.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Victor Abiamiri wants to emulate the career path of his former college teammate, Justin Tuck. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson likes his defensive line's potential. A sore hamstring kept Eagles rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson on the sidelines for a second straight day.

Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins will have to fight for a starting job in August, writes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. The Packers cut tackle Joe Toledo on Thursday.

Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune previews the Minnesota Vikings mandatory mini-camp, which gets underway today in Winter Park.

Detroit Lions tight end Michael Gaines could be a hidden gem in the passing game.

Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle William "The Refrigerator" Perry was recently hospitalized with Guillain Barre Syndrome, but is "doing wonderful" now.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Joey Galloway has put his late-season injury and playoff disappearance behind him. When Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia was talking about walking away from the game, he was talking about in 2009, not 2008. Former Buccaneers quarterback Bruce Gradkowski was claimed on waivers by the St. Louis Rams.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett thinks he's got a better handle on what it takes to succeed at this level.

With his game-breaking speed, Atlanta Falcons running back Jerius Norwood could be used as a wide receiver.

Seattle Seahawks tight end John Carlson could be the first rookie tight end to start for a Mike Holmgren-coached team. As the second-most tenured member of the defense, Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant prefers to lead by example.

The Arizona Cardinals signed fifth-round running back Tim Hightower on Thursday.

According to Kevin Lynch of the "Niners Insider" blog, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz is simplifying his offense for his quarterbacks.

After injuries forced them do so during the 2007 season, the St. Louis Rams are voluntarily shuffling their offensive line this off-season, and the results like this this:

Left tackle: Orlando Pace
Left guard: Jacob Bell
Center: Richie Incognito or Brett Romberg
Right guard: Mark Setterstrom
Right tackle: Alex Barron