Sports Briefs

Cowboys show Ware the money

Three-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware finally has his big contract with the Dallas Cowboys. He just won't be getting paid as much as some of the elite quarterbacks he will be trying to sack.

After months of talks that intensified over the past two weeks, Ware agreed yesterday to a $78 million, six-year deal through the 2015 season that guarantees him $40 million.

"I feel like I work really hard and am really deserving of what they've given me," Ware said. "All this is behind me now. It's time to get to work. You know what it's time to bring home. I'm not going to say what it is, we're just going to show you, and I'm going to show you."

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called Ware a "cornerstone player" for the Cowboys (4-2), who have gone 12 seasons without winning a playoff game and longer than that since winning three Super Bowl championships in four seasons (1992-95).

The 27-year-old Ware, who was in the final season of the contract he signed after being the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft, has 57½ sacks while starting all 70 of his regular-season games.

"Going into this negotiation, how do you ask for too much money for DeMarcus Ware given what he's accomplished," said his agent, Pat Dye. "We were asking for a lot more money than we ended up settling on. ... Ultimately they convinced us they were not going to pay DeMarcus like an elite quarterback and certainly we understood that."

Alex Smith is getting a big chance to resurrect his career. All but forgotten, the former No. 1 overall pick is the San Francisco 49ers' new starting quarterback - again.

49ers coach Mike Singletary made the announcement yesterday after also sitting down with Shaun Hill, who was benched after the first half of the Niners' a 24-21 loss at Houston on Sunday.

Former Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards has been charged with misdemeanor assault over accusations he punched a man outside a Cleveland nightclub, an incident that prompted his trade to the New York Jets.

Patrick D'Angelo, an attorney for Edwards, said his client will plead not guilty.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson used a gay slur for the second time in as many days yesterday, the Kansas City Star reported on its Web site.

Johnson refused to speak with reporters, a day after the Chiefs' 37-7 home loss to the Chargers. Sitting in front of his locker, he turned away and muttered the slur in telling reporters to get "out of here," according to the Star, which recorded the comment.

On Sunday, Johnson belittled rookie head coach Todd Haley on Twitter in a series of posts that also included the same gay slur.

Haley said yesterday the Chiefs were looking into "a couple of situations" involving Johnson, but declined further comment. Asked about the slurs, he said the team was "gathering facts."

NBA: Blake Griffin's NBA debut has been pushed back indefinitely after the Los Angeles Clippers revealed late last night that their No. 1 overall draft pick has a broken left kneecap.

The stress fracture could sideline the Oklahoma star for six weeks, the team announced, promising further information today.

FOR THE RECORD

BASEBALL

American League

TORONTO BLUE JAYS-Named Mel Didier and Mel Queen to the positions of senior advisor, player development.

National League

HOUSTON ASTROS-Named Jose Cruz special assistant to the general manager. Claimed INF/OF Jason Bourgeois off waivers from Milwaukee and placed him on their 40-man roster.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES-Announced RHP Tyler Yates had rejected an outright assignment and elected free agency.

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS-Agreed to terms with manager Tony LaRussa on a one-year contract. Named Mark McGwire hitting coach.

SAN DIEGO PADRES-Named Jed Hoyer executive vice president/general manager.

BASKETBALL

National Basketball Association

CHICAGO BULLS-Exercised the 2010-11 contract options for G Derrick Rose and F-C Joakim Noah.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS-Exercised the 2010-11 contract option on F J.J. Hickson.

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS-Exercised the 2010-11 contract option on G-F Julian Wright.

PHOENIX SUNS-Announced the team was awarded the rights to C Jarron Collins.

FOOTBALL

National Football League

DALLAS COWBOYS-Agreed to terms with LB DeMarcus Ware on a six-year contract extension through the 2015 season.

DENVER BRONCOS-Signed P Mitch Berger. Waived P Brett Kern.