FOOTBALL

JOHNSON INKS DEAL WITH BENGALS

Running back Rudi Johnson signed a one-year, $6.3 million contract yesterday to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals this season, a year after he set the team’s single-season record for rushing yardage. Johnson set a Bengals record last season with 1,454 rushing yards. He is still free to negotiate a long-term contract with the team, and he says he wants to do that.

DOLPHINS SIGN CARTER, CUT BOSTON

The Miami Dolphins signed two-time Pro Bowler Kevin Carter to a five-year deal yesterday, adding their second defensive end of the free-agent signing period, and cut David Boston after the wide receiver failed his physical. A 10-year NFL veteran, Carter has never has missed a game, totaling 598 tackles, 86 sacks, nine fumble recoveries, and 16 forced fumbles. Boston was signed before the 2004 season, but missed the entire year with a knee injury. In December, he was suspended by the NFL for four games for testing positive for steroids.

ROLLE SIGNS WITH RAVENS

Cornerback Samari Rolle yesterday agreed to a six-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens, who last week lost Gary Baxter to the Cleveland Browns. Rolle was a 2000 Pro Bowl selection with the Titans.

Also yesterday, the Chicago Bears signed 6-foot-7, 320-pound right tackle Fred Miller, agreeing to a five-year deal with the 32-year-old veteran; the Detroit Lions signed two players, landing hard-hitting safety Kenoy Kennedy and tight end Marcus Pollard; and the Arizona Cardinals dipped into the free agent market for the third time in five days, signing defensive end Chike Okeafor to go with quarterback Kurt Warner and offensive tackle Oliver Ross.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

NEUHEISEL WINS SETTLEMENT IN TERMINATION SUIT

Fired football coach Rick Neuheisel will receive at least $4.5 million in a settlement agreed to yesterday of his lawsuit against the NCAA and the University of Washington. Neuheisel will receive cash payments of $2.5 million from the NCAA and $500,000 from the university. Additionally, the university agreed not to seek repayment of a $1.5 million loan.

Neuheisel, now the quarterbacks coach for the Baltimore Ravens, had accused the university of wrongfully terminating his contract and the NCAA of encouraging Washington administrators to fire him. The university had argued that he had signed a contract that allowed for his firing for acts of dishonesty. School officials have said Neuheisel was fired for gambling on an NCAA basketball pool and failing to be forthright about it with NCAA investigators.

CYCLING

BOONEN WINS FIRST STAGE OF PARIS-NICE

Tom Boonen of Belgium won yesterday’s first stage of the Paris-Nice cycling race, and six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was 44th. Boonen, of the Quick Step team, completed the 115-mile stage 41 seconds ahead of Armstrong, who is not focusing on winning the race but is using it as a warmup for July’s Tour. Erik Dekker of the Netherlands is the overall leader, with Armstrong 70th overall, 1 minute, 8 seconds back. Boonen finished at the front of a group of 21 sprinters and won the stage from Etampes to Chabris in 4 hours, 19 minutes, 15 seconds. Luciano Pagliarini of Brazil was second and Jaan Kirsipuu of Estonia third.

Boonen pulled away after a crash 5 miles from the line. Armstrong did not fall in the crash, but was delayed by it. Dekker leads overall ahead of Jens Voigt, winner of Sunday’s prologue, with Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland in third.

– Associated Press