Cardinals' Fitzgerald signs 8-year deal
PHOENIX, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Saturday signed a mammoth eight-year contract with the team worth a reported $120 million.
Fitzgerald, one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL since the Cardinals selected him No. 3 overall in the 2004 draft, inked a new deal that will run through 2018.
Terms weren't disclosed, but ESPN.com reported it was worth $120 million with close to $50 million guaranteed.
Fitzgerald, 27, hauled down 90 receptions for 1,137 yards and six touchdowns last season. His career bests came in 2005 when he caught 103 passes, and in 2008 when he racked up 1,431 yards receiving.
"I'm going to continue to be aggressive and make this team better, and I'm confident that it will happen," Fitzgerald said at a news conference with Cardinals President Michael Bidwill.
Miami coach Golden staying the course
CORAL GABLES, Fla., Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Al Golden said Saturday he was still happy to be the head coach of the University of Miami despite a scandal blowing though Hurricane country.
The Miami Herald reported Golden declined to tell reporters if his contract had an escape clause in the event the NCAA slaps hefty sanctions on the 'Canes football program after it finishes its investigations into allegations of improper gifts made to players. The school has been under investigation for at least five months.
"I'm not going to get into all that," said Golden, who was named head coach in December. "My family and I are excited about being here. This is a great place, and we're going to get this fixed."
Golden said this week he was blindsided by the allegations made by convicted felon Nevin Shapiro, which involve dozens of former Hurricanes players as well as a dozen current team members.
Golden declined to say what would become of the implicated players. He plans to name his 60-member traveling squad next week for the Sept. 5 season opener at Maryland.
KC Chiefs won't comment on fight report
BALTIMORE, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Kansas City Chiefs Coach Todd Haley refused to comment on a report first-round draft choice Jonathan Baldwin was injured in a fight with a teammate Friday.
Haley would only tell the media that injuries were "family business" and that he did not "understand the question" when asked if the reported scuffle with running back Thomas Jones was the reason Baldwin did not play in the Chiefs' 31-13 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, The Kansas City Star reported Saturday.
"Jonathan Baldwin did not play tonight due to injury," said Haley. "As I say in here a bunch, that's the extent of what we're going to talk about."
ESPN.com reported that, according to a source on the team, Baldwin hurt his wrist in a locker room clash with Jones and could be out for the remainder of the pre-season.
Baldwin was selected 26th overall in the draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. He averaged 18 yards per catch for the Panthers.
Couples leads Sr. Players after 3 rounds
HARRISON, N.Y., Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Fred Couples fired a 3-under-par 68 Saturday, putting himself in position for his first major seniors win after three rounds of the Senior Players Championship.
Couples, 51, was been consistent since starting play on the Champions Tour last year, winning four events but no majors so far.
But that could change after he posted a one-stroke lead at the 54-hole mark on the Westchester West Course in New York.
Couples' bogey-free round put him at 11-under 204, one shot better than John Cook (5-under 66) and Peter Senior (68), both of whom birdied the last hole Saturday.
The pair are also each chasing their first major seniors title.
Alone in fourth was Corey Pavin (69) at minus-8. Defending champion Mark O'Meara (69) shared fifth with five others at minus-6.
