Packers’ Freeman Highest-Paid Receiver

Antonio Freeman became the NFL’s highest-paid receiver Monday, agreeing to a seven-year, $42-million contract with the Green Bay Packers.

Freeman’s agent, Joel Segal, said the deal also includes a $10-million signing bonus, the largest ever paid to a wide receiver.

The contract includes two voidable years, meaning the All-Pro wideout can opt out of the deal after five seasons. The contract is contingent on Freeman playing in 25% of the Packers’ offensive plays in any season.

Contracts for wide receivers historically have lagged behind those for other skill position players, in part because of the higher likelihood of injury at the position.

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Jimmy Johnson hopes to persuade Dimitrius Underwood that there’s room in his life for both religion and the Miami Dolphins.

Underwood, a first-round draft choice released last week by the Minnesota Vikings after he left them to pursue his faith, was claimed off waivers by the Dolphins.

Johnson acknowledged that the 22-year-old defensive end may not want to join the Dolphins--at least not right away.

“If it so happens he doesn’t play for the Dolphins this year, we’ll retain his rights for the future,� Johnson said. “We’re going to let him have some time to talk about the opportunity here. Then we’ll be getting with him in the future.�

No one in the organization has talked to Underwood, a team spokesman said.

Underwood is Johnson’s latest reclamation project, although the other cases are much different. The Dolphins’ training camp roster includes three convicted felons and receiver Tony Martin, currently on trial on federal charges of laundering drug money.

On Monday, Martin’s former financial advisor testified that Martin ignored a warning from his father to stay away from a longtime friend who had narcotics ties, saying it was none of his business.

Rick Norton, a San Diego-based financial planner, said he was at Martin’s Southern California home when Hal Martin tried to warn his son. The elder Martin said he didn’t think his son should associate with Rickey Brownlee, Norton testified.

Martin is being tried alongside Brownlee, a previously convicted drug dealer, in a case largely focusing on Brownlee’s alleged drug activities from 1995-97.

Martin is charged with five counts of money laundering. He is accused of leasing three cars in his name on behalf of Brownlee, who paid him back with cash. Martin also is accused of writing a check to Brownlee’s first lawyer in exchange for cash.

At issue is whether Martin, who has known Brownlee since childhood and calls him his uncle, knew he was accepting drug money.

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Cleveland Brown Coach Chris Palmer said that while Tim Couch might take the first snap in Saturday’s exhibition against the Minnesota Vikings, Ty Detmer is still slated as Cleveland’s starter on opening day.

Detmer has been the starter for the Browns in both exhibitions so far, but Palmer said he wants to see what each can do in different situations on Saturday.

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The Detroit Lions signed free-agent linebacker Steve Morrison to replace Matt Russell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Friday’s exhibition at Atlanta.

Morrison was a standout at Michigan and played his first four NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.