Manning agrees to 6-year, $54 million deal with Giants

NEW YORK - Top overall draft pick Eli Manning agreed Thursday to a six-year contract with the New York Giants that could be worth $54 million and will pay him a rookie-record $20 million signing bonus.

The Mississippi quarterback's bonus is believed to be the second highest in NFL history, behind only the $34.5 million the Indianapolis Colts gave his brother, Peyton, in March. That deal also was negotiated by agent Tom Condon, who represents both Mannings.

Eli Manning's deal includes $9 million in incentives.

The team began training camp today in Albany, N.Y.

The main sticking point in contract talks between Condon and the Giants was not the amount of money but the complicated rookie salary cap.

WILLIAMS FAILED TESTS: Retired Dolphins running back Ricky Williams said he failed a third drug test for marijuana use, which would cost him a four-game suspension if he decides to return to the NFL, The Miami Herald reported on its Web site Thursday.

Williams told the newspaper that marijuana played a larger role in his retirement than he indicated when he walked away after just five pro seasons. He said he learned of the failed test and possible suspension days before telling coach Dave Wannstedt last week that he was through playing.

Williams said, however, that there were "a hundred reasons" for his surprising decision to retire, and his desire to continue smoking marijuana was only one of them.

"I didn't quit football because I failed a drug test," he told the Herald. "I failed a drug test because I was ready to quit football."

Williams said he's not addicted to marijuana.

He told the Herald for Thursday's story that he already decided to quit football before that second positive test. He appealed that fine, but received word last week that his appeal had been denied, the Herald reported.

While the appeal was pending, Williams said, he continued smoking marijuana during a trip to Europe and failed a third test upon his return.

He said he had been using a masking agent to cleanse his system while being randomly tested for two seasons but he didn't do that before the last test.

RAIDERS: Offensive tackle Robert Gallery, the second overall pick in the NFL draft, signed a contract with Oakland that includes $18.5 million in guaranteed money. The deal is for seven years and could reach $60 million.

RAVENS: Veteran cornerback Dale Carter, expectded to be Baltimore's nickel back this season, is out for the year with a blood clot in his lung.

"It's quite serious, very serious to the degree that it was life-threatening. He is on blood thinners and will be for six months," coach Brian Billick said. "That will preclude him from playing this year."

The 34-year-old Carter said he felt pain in his side while working out at home and finally went to the emergency room where they told him he had blood clots.

FILE/Associated PressTop draft pick Eli Manning of the New York Giants agreed Thursday to a $54 million contract, which includes a $20 million signing bonus.