Gamecocks' Robinson signs

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans and cornerback Dunta Robinson of South Carolina have agreed to contract terms, according to a league source, meaning the team would have both of its first-round draft choices in the fold a week before training camp starts.

The deal had been submitted to the league office and was pending approval, the source told The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity. The source said an announcement was expected toay.

The Texans declined comment Thursday. Robinson's agent, Jason Chayut, did not immediately return a phone message from the AP. Terms were not immediately available, but last year's 10th overall pick, Baltimore Ravens defensive end Terrell Suggs, got more than $7 million guaranteed in a five-year deal.

At 5-foot-10 and 174 pounds, Robinson had 114 career tackles, five interceptions and 22 passes defended.

MONEY BALL: The Oakland Raiders sold the most NFL merchandise for the third straight year, while the New England Patriots, winner of two of the past three Super Bowls, vaulted from ninth to second.

The sales cover the period from April 1, 2003, through March 31, 2004.

The NFL announced the rankings Thursday. Following the Patriots and Raiders, the other teams in the top 10 are Green Bay, Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, San Francisco and Miami.

Green Bay made the top 10 for the eighth straight year, while Atlanta made it for the first time since 1992.

In addition, the league reported that Terrell Owens' Philadelphia jersey is the top seller among players on NFLShop.com. Owens signed with the Eagles in March.

Michael Vick's Atlanta jersey is second, while the New York Giants jersey of Eli Manning, the first player taken in April's draft, is the seventh-best seller.

REPLACING EDDIE: In Nashville, Tenn., a day after cutting Eddie George, the Tennessee Titans signed another running back, Antowain Smith, New England's leading rusher the past three seasons.

Smith, 32, agreed Thursday to take substantially less than the $2.5 million base salary demanded by George.

Smith, who led the Patriots with 642 yards rushing for a 3.5 average last season, reportedly will make $660,000 with a $25,000 signing bonus. He will compete for time with second-year man Chris Brown and Robert Holcombe.