Top picks Manning, Gallery sign big contracts

Eli Manning and Robert Gallery signed contracts Thursday, ensuring that the top two picks in the NFL draft will be on the field for the start of training camp workouts

Manning, the first selection, signed a deal with the New York Giants that will guarantee him $20 million over the next five years as part of a $45 million package that could reach $54 million with incentives.

A few hours later, Gallery signed with Oakland for $18.5 million in guaranteed money as part of a package that could reach $60 million over seven years.

Gallery, a left tackle, is more likely to start right away because the Raiders are desperate for help on the offensive line. Manning, the latest of the Manning family of quarterbacks, could well start the season on the bench behind Kurt Warner, signed by New York after Kerry Collins was cut for salary-cap reasons.

"It was a very complicated contract," said Giants general manager Ernie Accorsi, who began intensive work on the deal Tuesday night with Manning's agent, Tom Condon. "You always want players in on time. But sometimes that's not possible.

"We're all restricted to a percentage of increases every year. It's a puzzle."

The puzzle worked out. Manning missed only a players meeting Thursday and will be at practice today when the Giants begin workouts.

Gallery also will make it on time for the Raiders. His deal also was complicated by what agent Rick Smith said was a series of rules that made it necessary to structure signing bonuses over several seasons.

"It's as complicated a contract as I've ever done," Smith said.

JETS: Chad Pennington plans to make the first opening-day start of his career in September — with or without a new contract.

Pennington's agent, Tom Condon, and the New York Jets are negotiating a new deal for the quarterback. But Pennington has told Condon talks will be shelved until the end of the season if a deal isn't reached by Aug. 31.

"I've made sure it won't be a distraction, that's why I've allowed them to discuss it through August, but after that there are no discussions," Pennington said. "As far as I'm concerned, after today I'm not talking about it."

Pennington is entering the final season of a five-year deal that will pay him a base salary of $4.57 million in 2004.

BEARS: Lance Briggs, who started 13 games at outside linebacker last season, moved to the middle as the temporary replacement for Pro Bowler Brian Urlacher. He pulled a hamstring Wednesday and is expected to be out several weeks.

"When your star goes out, it makes the rest of the guys stand up a little bit more," coach Lovie Smith said. "We need to get our younger players further along and that's what we'll be able to do right now."