Raiola extends stay
with Lions

Detroit center Dominic Raiola has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the Lions that brings him a $4.6 million signing bonus. Raiola is expected to sign the new deal this week.

The four-year pro from Saint Louis School would've been a highly sought-after free agent.

"I'm really excited to go back to Detroit. Me and my wife want to raise a family there and we love the city. I'm ready to put on the pads and go play football," said Raiola, in a statement via his agent, Kenny Zuckerman.

The new deal calls for close to $6 million the first year and a total of $17.5 million, Zuckerman said.

"It makes him the fifth-highest-paid center (in the NFL)," the agent said.

One of those who gets paid more than Raiola is Bears center Olin Kreutz, also a Saint Louis graduate.

The 6-foot-1, 295-pound Raiola has started every game the past three seasons. In 2002 he received the Lions' most improved player award.

Owens, Chang run: Receivers and quarterbacks -- including Chad Owens and Tim Chang of Hawaii -- were timed over 40 yards at the NFL combine in Indianapolis yesterday.

Owens, known more for his quickness than speed, covered the 40 in times ranging from 4.55 to 4.65 seconds (hand-held times). Several other receivers had comparable times. Chang did it in 5.15, last among his group of 10 quarterbacks. The times are according to an NFL scout at the combine and NewOrleansProFootball.com.

Chang also participated in passing workouts.

Cavanaugh interviews: Hawaii offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh interviewed with Cleveland Browns head coach Romeo Crennel yesterday for a job on the former New England defensive coordinator's staff.

"I don't know what's going to happen," said Cavanaugh, who met with Crennel in Indianapolis. "But I felt it went well. He told me he'd let me know something in 24 to 48 hours."

Cavanaugh, who turned down an offer to be assistant head coach at San Jose State last month, is also scheduled to interview at Oregon State tomorrow, he said.

"I want to make it clear I'm happy at UH, and thankful for what's been done for me there, and I haven't gone looking for these interviews. They contacted me," said Cavanaugh, who coached with the San Diego Chargers two years before joining June Jones' staff at UH in 1999. "But when someone knocks on your door, you have to listen to what they say."

Five UH offensive linemen who played under Cavanaugh have been drafted by NFL teams.