Naeole tops list
of Saints’ signees

It also includes
Heisman trophy winner Wuerffel
and four other top picks

Associated Press

LA CROSSE, Wis. -- A full roster was virtually guaranteed for the New Orleans Saints' opening practice today after agreements were reached with No. 1 draft choice Chris Naeole, Heisman winner Danny Wuerffel and four others.

Naeole arrived on schedule at training camp last night, signing a five-year contract that reportedly guarantees the 6-foot-3, 300-pound former Colorado guard $7.9 million.

"He's going to bring a refreshing and youthful look to the line. I think he'll bring some leadership," coach Mike Ditka said.

"And that's important. We want to get tough. Chris is a tough kid and we want to get tough."

Naeole, the 10th pick overall, reportedly received a signing bonus of $3.595 million with annual base salaries of $576,000, $720,000, $864,000, $1,008,000, and $1,152,000 over the next five years.

Wuerffel, a fourth-round pick who led Florida to the national championship last season, was expected to arrive today after reportedly agreeing to a three-year contract worth $739,000.

The Saints also reached agreements yesterday with second-round draft picks Rob Kelly, a safety from Ohio State, and Jared Tomich, a defensive end from Nebraska; veteran linebacker Winfred Tubbs, and Doug Brien, the Saints' kicker last year.

Kelly reportedly agreed to a three-year, $1.7 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $729,000 -- the richest of any second-round pick.

Tubbs said he would sign a one-year tender of $361,000 offered him as a restricted free agent.

Terms of Tomich's and Brien's contracts were not available.