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Lions sign Rogers to six-year contract Posted: Wednesday July 23, 2003 5:27 PMUpdated: Wednesday July 23, 2003 8:11 PM ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -- Charles Rogers wants to be an asset for the Detroit Lions, not a distraction. The former Michigan State star said he would be at the start of training camp after agreeing to a six-year contract with a signing bonus of $14.4 million 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. "It's a great feeling to be able to get that camaraderie going," Rogers said. "I'm just anxious and excited to go play football." Rogers' signing means the NFL's first four picks are all signed. Rogers, the second overall pick in the draft, just missed the team's reporting deadline Wednesday afternoon, but then attended two meetings for rookies, quarterbacks and selected veterans to get ready for workouts with them on Thursday. "I'm here, that's the greatest thing," Rogers said. "Camp hasn't started yet, and I'm ready to go." The entire team reports to training camp on Saturday, and will begin two-a-day sessions Sunday under new coach Steve Mariucci. "Charles made it clear to all you guys, God and country that he wanted to be to camp on time," said executive vice president Tom Lewand, the Lions' chief negotiator. "It's a testament that he made good on his word and that he's here." Detroit also signed its second-round pick, linebacker Boss Bailey, to a five-year contract. The last time the Lions 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 Saginaw native, 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. "I'm not going to place a crazy amount of expectations on young players too soon," Mariucci said. "Even the great quarterbacks like Brett Favre, and the great receivers like Jerry (Rice) or Terrell Owens go through a learning process. It doesn't happen overnight, and it's not just about those two positions." Even though the first, third and fourth picks in the draft had signed before Wednesday, Rogers' agent Kevin Poston said that was not a factor in his negotiations with the Lions. "I wasn't concerned with what those players signed for," Poston said. "It's just a relief to have it over with what is a fair deal for Charles, and the Lions." 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. Palmer signed a contract with $14 million in bonuses that will make about $40 million over six years, with escalators that could pay him $49 million. Johnson signed a six-year contract worth almost $39 million, including a $13.5 million signing bonus. Terms of Robertson's contract were not announced. 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. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder set NCAA and Big Ten records by catching TD passes in 13 straight regular-season games and 14 consecutive games overall. He set Michigan State records with 27 TDs and 12 100-yard receiving games and finished second with 2,821 receiving yards -- in just two seasons. "We have high expectations and a lot of high hopes for Charles," team president Matt Millen said. "This kid is going to struggle, that's just the way it is. But along with the struggles, there will be high points."
Detroit's first exhibition game is Aug. 9 at Ford Field against
Pittsburgh. The Lions begin the regular season on Sept. 7 at home
against Arizona.
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