The Baltimore Ravens and holdout quarterback Kyle Boller reached a verbal agreement on a five-year deal Wednesday.
Boller, the 19th overall pick in the 2002 NFL draft, is expected join the team Thursday after flying in from California.
"Kyle is very excited to be on his way to camp to start his career with the Ravens," said Mike Sullivan, the quarterback's agent. "He can't wait to be there."
Boller started every game for California last year, throwing for 2,815 yards and 28 touchdowns.
Ravens coach Brian Billick said the competition for the starting quarterback job is open among Chris Redman, Boller and Anthony Wright. Redman, the heavy favorite, started the Ravens' first six games in 2002 before a back injury ended his season.
Boller, who missed three days of practice, will now join the fray.
"It's great to have it done. The time lost is irretrievable, but hopefully we can make up that time for him," Billick said. "It's good to have everybody in camp now."
Boller has never played against NFL competition in full pads and faces an uphill battle to gain the starting job.
"I'm not going to slam the door on him and say, `No,' but the other two looked very good and are playing very well," Billick said. "It's going to take something to overcome that lost time."
Boller and the Ravens reached agreement one day after Baltimore's other first-round pick, defensive end Terrell Suggs, signed a five-year deal.
Redskins
In Ashburn, Virginia, the Washington Redskins have begun negotiations on a new contract for Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, who can become a free agent after the season. Bailey is prized so much by the team that owner Dan Snyder was willing to cut starting defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson to free salary-cap space.
Snyder called Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, shortly after Wilkinson was released Tuesday, and the two plan to meet sometime during training camp.
Bailey signed a five-year, US$10.25 million contract after he was chosen as the No. 7 overall draft pick in 1999. His salary this year is just over US$2 million, not even in the top 10 among cornerbacks in the league.
"It's pretty much out of my hands," Bailey said. "I could not come to camp, hold out. Man, I came in with class, and I'm going to leave with class, plain and simple.
Seahawks
In Cheney, Washington, rookie Josh Brown is in a fortunate position as the only kicker at the Seattle Seahawks' training camp.
The newcomer from Nebraska is making a great impression.
"Nothing to complain about," said Brown, drafted in the seventh round last April after Rian Lindell signed with Buffalo. "I was drafted into a good situation with good coaches and teammates. I'm kicking well. There are a lot of things that are just bouncing my way right now."
Brown has made 20 of 25 kicks when the field goal team snaps from each hash mark, moving back in 5-yard increments. Distances usually range from 33m to 45m.
"He hasn't had anyone yelling at him or rushing him in a game, but you see he has a strong leg and he kicks it real easy," coach Mike Holmgren said. "He doesn't talk to himself. He's kind of normal for a kicker."
Eagles
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Correll Buckhalter passed a big test at the Philadelphia Eagles' first practice in full pads.
He did well as he returns from a knee injury that forced him to miss last season. Eagles coach Andy Reid was eager to see how Buckhalter responded to a hit, especially because he's the team's primary running back with starter Duce Staley holding out.
"You want to see how he attacks a blow -- is he going to literally attack it or is he going to catch it?" Reid said. "I think we saw him attack the defender, and that's what you look for."
Buckhalter tore a cruciate ligament in his left knee on the first day of minicamp in April 2002 and sat out the entire season.
"It feels stronger. It's not giving me any problems whatsoever," Buckhalter said. "In the nine-on-seven [drills], I was a little rusty, but everything else looked smooth."
Bears
In Bourbonnais, Illinois, the Chicago Bears are hoping Bryan Knight can fill the void left when Rosevelt Colvin signed a US$30 million free-agent deal with the New England Patriots.
Knight will line up at strongside linebacker but the Bears will not expect the same sack production. Colvin led the team the last two years and had 21 total sacks those seasons.
"That would be a lot of pressure on Bryan to say he would," coach Dick Jauron said of Knight as a sack artist. "That was Rosey's strength. Rosey had a knack at pass rushing. [But] as an athlete, Bryan is definitely a faster athlete."
Also Wednesday, running back Anthony Thomas missed both practices with back spasms. Running back Eric McCoo left the field with an unspecified knee injury.
Dolphins
In Davie, Florida, Miami wide receiver Oronde Gadsden was carted off the field Wednesday after injuring his left ankle.
An X-ray showed the ankle is not broken, but Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said the team does not know the severity of the injury. Gadsden played in only six games last season because of a torn ligament in his left wrist. He caught 56 passes in 2000 and 55 more in 2001.
Panthers
In Spartanburg, South Carolina, Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Melvin Tuten tore knee ligaments in practice Wednesday.
Tuten tore the ligaments in his left knee and is expected to be out at least three months.
Later, wide receiver Steve Smith pulled his hamstring, but coach John Fox said his status was day-to-day. And fifth-round draft pick Kindal Moorehead was sent back to Charlotte, North Carolina, for treatment after an insect bite on his forearm became infected.
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