Professor

Cards close to signing Brown

The Cardinals' efforts to sign offensive tackle Levi Brown, the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft, were boosted Thursday when Tampa Bay came to terms with defensive end Gaines Adams, the No. 4 selection.

Adams agreed to a six-year deal that reportedly will pay him a maximum of $46 million, $18.56 million of which is guaranteed.

Brown's deal likely would be worth more than $40 million, with $17 million to $17.5 million guaranteed.




Brown's agent, Joel Segal, said he had exchanged proposals with Cardinals officials Thursday and expected to talk with them into the evening.

General manager Rod Graves remains optimistic that a deal can be reached before the start of training camp. "I feel we've made some progress, but we're still arm wrestling on the numbers at this point," Graves said Thursday.

The Cardinals are to report to training camp in Flagstaff by 5 p.m. today. A conditioning test is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, and the first practice is at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Segal also is the agent for the No. 6 pick, Redskins safety LaRon Landry.

When Brown signs, he'll enter camp as the backup to right tackle Oliver Ross

__________________