Roundup

Bengals sign draft picks Weathersby and Johnson

CINCINNATI (AP) -- The Cincinnati Bengals signed cornerback Dennis Weathersby and fullback Jeremi Johnson on Sunday, both fourth-round draft picks in this year's draft.

Terms of the three-year contracts weren't disclosed.

Weathersby holds Oregon State's career record for breaking up passes. He was considered a top cornerback in the NFL draft before he was the innocent victim of a drive-by shooting April 20. He was recently cleared to practice.

Johnson was a starter at Indiana before he transferred to Western Kentucky and rushed for 637 yards in his final season.

The Bengals opened training camp Sunday at Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky. with seven of their nine draft picks signed.

Second-rounder Eric Steinbach, a guard from Iowa, and third-rounder Kelley Washington, a wide receiver from Tennessee, have not signed.

Vikings finally sign fourth-round pick Smith

MANKATO, Minn. (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings finally signed their fourth-round draft pick Sunday, signaling the end of running back Onterrio Smith's two-day holdout.

Smith, who ranked second in the Pac-10 Conference in rushing last year for Oregon, was the Vikings' remaining unsigned rookie. He figures prominently in the team's plans at running back with Pro Bowler Michael Bennett out at least half -- if not all of -- of the season with a stress fracture in his left foot.

Smith showed up in time for the last part of Sunday morning's practice and received some friendly razzing from his new teammates.

"They told me I made history as the first fourth-rounder to ever sit out," Smith said.

Polian unsure how long Colts' picks will hold out

Colts president Bill Polian said he did not expect to sign first-round pick Dallas Clark before Indianapolis opens practice Monday. Polian also said he has made final offers to second-round choice Mike Doss and third-rounder Donald Strickland.

"They're out and they'll be out for as long as they're out," Polian said, referring to Doss and Strickland. "I could care less, to be truthful."

Polian sounded more optimistic about Clark, the tight end the Colts drafted out of Iowa with the 24th pick overall. The sides were still talking, Polian said.

But the issue with Clark is more about how the NFL pays its rookies.

Polian did not discuss specific proposals made to Clark.

In contrast, Polian said Indianapolis offered Doss a four-year contract worth $2.5 million and Strickland a three-year deal for $1.34 million. Doss' proposal also contains a fifth year that could void.

Both offers, Polian said, were at market value.

The sticking point is incentives.

Polian said he would offer standard bonuses, such as making the Pro Bowl, but he would not give in to agents' demands for additional incentives.

Browns get one rookie signed -- a long snapper

BEREA, Ohio (AP) -- Long snapper Ryan Pontbriand, who was stunned when the Cleveland Browns drafted him in April, ended a holdout by agreeing to terms on a five-year deal with the club Sunday.

Terms were not immediately available.

Pontbriand is the first of Cleveland's seven 2003 draft picks to report to camp. Center Jeff Faine, the Browns' first-round pick who is expected to start this season, remains unsigned.

The Browns are attempting to sign their late-round picks to five-year deals, a new strategy that is being met with resistance by agents for the players.

Typically, low-round picks sign for three years, after which they are eligible for free agency.

Pontbriand was selected in the fifth round by the Browns, who needed a long snapper after Ryan Kuehl left as a free agent and signed with the New York Giants.