Lions sign top pick Johnson
The Detroit Lions did what it took to get rookie Calvin Johnson on the field.
Detroit gave the wide receiver from Georgia Tech a six-year deal worth up to $64 million, a person with knowledge of the contract details told The Associated Press on Friday, with just under $27.2 million in guaranteed money.
Reportedly, the deal guarantees Johnson's salary in each season and will likely be worth $55.5 million by the middle of his rookie year because of easily triggered bonuses.
Johnson knew exactly why he became very wealthy. Moments after signing in the morning, ending an eight-day holdout, he found himself on the first team during a two-minute drill.
"I wasn't surprised," Johnson said. "I was expecting to be out there with the first team. That's why they picked me at No. 2."
Johnson was relieved his long wait to join his teammates was over.
"I had tried to stay patient at the beginning of this, but the last few days have been nerve-racking," he said. "I'm just glad that I'm out here playing football again, not worrying about the contract."
Johnson was regarded by some as the best player in the draft after catching 78 passes for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns during his All-America junior season at Georgia Tech. He won the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation's top college receiver.
Browns' Tucker suspended: Desperate to resume his career, a "down and out" Ryan Tucker risked his football future by taking steroids.
He'll pay for it -- and so will the Browns.
Tucker, Cleveland's rock-solid right offensive tackle, was suspended Friday for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.
Tucker admitted taking a banned substance, saying he did so while being treated for a mental disorder that limited him to nine games last season.
"I didn't intend to compromise the integrity of the NFL, my team," a remorseful Tucker said following Friday's morning practice. "I want to apologize to the fans, my family. It's been a long road in which I was pretty down and out last year. In my attempt to come back I took a banned substance.
"I'm going to fulfill this punishment and get it behind me."
Tucker can practice with the Browns throughout training camp and the preseason. However, he cannot be with the team during his suspension, which begins Sept. 1 and runs through Oct. 1. He is not appealing the ban.
Holdman out of hospital: Denver Broncos linebacker Warrick Holdman was released from the hospital Friday, 24 hours after being treated for a spinal cord concussion following a collision with a teammate at training camp.
"He did have some numbness this morning but not a lot," coach Mike Shanahan said of the former Bear.
Rice visits with Titans: Defensive end Simeon Rice's tour of NFL teams brought him to Tennessee's headquarters Friday, and he was gone after a few hours.
Titans general manager Mike Reinfeldt said the team gave Rice a physical exam, and he and coach Jeff Fisher met with the 12-year veteran.
Rice, who also took a physical with the New York Giants on Wednesday, is expected to meet with other teams.
Tampa Bay waived Rice last week because of an injured shoulder. His 121 sacks are second only to New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan's 132½ among active players.