NFL ROUNDUP | News and notes

Steelers: Safety Mike Logan re-signed for one season. Wide receiver Sean Morey and linebacker Arnold Harrison also signed one-year deals. Terms were not disclosed. Logan was released last month while the Steelers worked to get under the salary cap before they knew it would expand under the collective bargaining agreement extension. Logan, 31, has been rehabilitating at the Steelers' training facility following knee surgery. He was injured in the Super Bowl. Logan has played nine seasons in the NFL. He has been with the Steelers for the past five seasons, playing in 75 games and starting 17. He started in 2003 at strong safety.
Vikings: Onterrio Smith proclaimed himself the "Steal of the Draft" after Minnesota picked him in the fourth round out of the University of Oregon in 2003. Three years later, it's clear why he didn't go any higher. The Vikings released Smith Wednesday with at least six weeks left on his one-year suspension for violating league drug policy -- ultimately deciding there was too much trouble in his past to wait for, let alone welcome back, the talented 25-year-old runner. "We've decided to terminate Onterrio Smith's contract ahead of this weekend's college draft. We wish him well in his future endeavors," coach Brad Childress said in a statement released by the team less than two hours after a predraft news conference. Asked at that news conference about Smith's status, Childress declined comment, citing the confidentiality of the NFL's substance abuse program. The move signaled the end of a memorable saga. It started with Smith -- who was dismissed from the University of Tennessee in 2000 for marijuana use -- becoming Minnesota's featured running back down the stretch of his first season. He set a franchise rookie record for rushing attempts and total yardage with 148 yards on 27 carries in a game against the Chicago Bears. After finishing with 579 yards, five touchdowns and an average of 5.4 yards per attempt in 2003, Smith served a four-game suspension in 2004 and still led the Vikings in rushing that year with 544 yards. He added 394 yards receiving. He had a legitimate chance to be the starting back last season until his drug problems resurfaced. In May, Smith was infamously caught at the Minneapolis airport with "The Original Whizzinator" -- a device designed to beat drug tests including a fake penis and several vials of dried urine -- when his bag was scanned by security. Smith claimed the kit was for his cousin, and he wasn't charged by police. Mere possession of the device is not enough to break league rules. But less than one month later, Smith received his latest suspension for a third violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. League spokesman Greg Aiello, also citing confidentiality issues, declined comment specifically about Smith, whose suspension was originally scheduled to end June 7. A denial of his reinstatement application, however, wouldn't be made public by the NFL, so it's possible for Smith's ban to continue indefinitely until the commissioner clears him to return.
Vikings: Onterrio Smith proclaimed himself the "Steal of the Draft" after Minnesota picked him in the fourth round out of the University of Oregon in 2003. Three years later, it's clear why he didn't go any higher. The Vikings released Smith Wednesday with at least six weeks left on his one-year suspension for violating league drug policy -- ultimately deciding there was too much trouble in his past to wait for, let alone welcome back, the talented 25-year-old runner. "We've decided to terminate Onterrio Smith's contract ahead of this weekend's college draft. We wish him well in his future endeavors," coach Brad Childress said in a statement released by the team less than two hours after a predraft news conference. Asked at that news conference about Smith's status, Childress declined comment, citing the confidentiality of the NFL's substance abuse program. The move signaled the end of a memorable saga. It started with Smith -- who was dismissed from the University of Tennessee in 2000 for marijuana use -- becoming Minnesota's featured running back down the stretch of his first season. He set a franchise rookie record for rushing attempts and total yardage with 148 yards on 27 carries in a game against the Chicago Bears. After finishing with 579 yards, five touchdowns and an average of 5.4 yards per attempt in 2003, Smith served a four-game suspension in 2004 and still led the Vikings in rushing that year with 544 yards. He added 394 yards receiving. He had a legitimate chance to be the starting back last season until his drug problems resurfaced. In May, Smith was infamously caught at the Minneapolis airport with "The Original Whizzinator" -- a device designed to beat drug tests including a fake penis and several vials of dried urine -- when his bag was scanned by security. Smith claimed the kit was for his cousin, and he wasn't charged by police. Mere possession of the device is not enough to break league rules. But less than one month later, Smith received his latest suspension for a third violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. League spokesman Greg Aiello, also citing confidentiality issues, declined comment specifically about Smith, whose suspension was originally scheduled to end June 7. A denial of his reinstatement application, however, wouldn't be made public by the NFL, so it's possible for Smith's ban to continue indefinitely until the commissioner clears him to return.
Packers: Green Bay made its first major splash in the free-agent market this offseason, agreeing to terms with defensive back Charles Woodson. Woodson's agent, Kevin Poston, said the Packers agreed to a seven-year deal for $52.7 million, including $10.5 million in the first year of the contract. Woodson's signing comes a day after Brett Favre told the team he would return to play the 2006 season. Favre previously urged the team to make a "statement" in free agency, similar to the signing of Reggie White in 1993. The team lost out on its pursuit of kicker Adam Vinatieri and linebacker LaVar Arrington before finally landing Woodson. Woodson, a four-time Pro Bowler, has played eight seasons for the Oakland Raiders, intercepting 17 passes in 106 games.
Associated Press