NFL notes

CINCINNATI — BENGALS Top pick Smith signs

Offensive tackle Andre Smith signed a contract Sunday with the Cincinnati Bengals, ending an impasse that dragged on a month into the preseason.

The Bengals originally planned to have Smith start at right tackle, but he has missed all three preseason games. He was in Cincinnati and agreed to the deal shortly before the start of a late afternoon practice.

"He has a lot of work to do, but he knows the challenge ahead of him to make an impact on our team as soon as possible," Coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement released as practice began.

Smith, the sixth overall pick, was the highest unsigned NFL pick with one week left in the preseason. The Bengals had insisted on paying him less than a player taken later in the draft, Oakland's Darrius Heyward-Bey, leading to the impasse.

Smith's contract leaves Michael Crabtree, drafted by San Francisco with the 10th overall pick, as the only first-round selection yet to sign.

The team gave Smith's bed to another player during training camp in Georgetown, Ky. HBO's Hard Knocks episode last Wednesday showed teammates mocking Smith's weight during the team's annual rookie skits.

Prolonged holdouts are commonplace in Cincinnati. Last year, linebacker Keith Rivers missed nine days of camp and was one of the last two first-round picks to come to terms.

The Bengals' offensive line was one of their top priorities in the off-season. The offense finished last in the league in 2008 in large part because of the line's ineffectiveness. Quarterback Carson Palmer missed a dozen games because he tore a ligament and tendon in his throwing elbow when he got hit while passing.

Only right guard Bobbie Williams (Arkansas Razorbacks) returns in the same spot this year. The Bengals let their two tackles leave and drafted Smith, whose holdout forced them to revamp their plans. Anthony Collins has played right tackle in Smith's absence.

The Bengals conclude the preseason on Thursday night against Indianapolis, then open the season at home against the Denver Broncos. Lewis said Smith's availability for the final preseason game "will be evaluated as we go through the week." EAGLES Vick won't disrupt rhythm

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg doesn't expect the insertion of Michael Vick into the Eagles' offense to disrupt its rhythm.

"Not at all," Mornhinweg said. "We'll straighten that out. We'll take care of that. Michael is going to help this offense. I'm confident of that."

Vick played just six plays Thursday night in the preseason game against Jacksonville. Quarterback Donovan McNabb told Mornhinweg and Coach Andy Reid that Vick coming in and out interfered with the flow of the game.

"It's not going to be a disruption," Mornhinweg said. "Believe me, it won't be. It's not an issue."

Vick will play Thursday night when the Eagles travel to compete against the Jets in the final preseason game. McNabb is not expected to play in the game.

Gaither to start at LB

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles are changing their starting middle linebacker two weeks before the start of the regular season.

Omar Gaither is taking over for Joe Mays. Mays had replaced Stewart Bradley, who is out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Gaither was the starter in 2007.

Gaither had been bothered by a sore knee throughout training camp, but returned to practice on a limited basis last week and was out with the starting unit at practice Sunday. He will remain in that role leading up to the season opener Sept. 13 at Carolina.

RAMS

Bulger back at practice

EARTH CITY, Mo. - Rams quarterback Marc Bulger took the first step Sunday toward returning to the playing field.

Bulger, out since Aug. 17 after fracturing the pinkie on his throwing hand, threw 21 passes in a side session at the morning practice. Coach Steve Spagnuolo didn't watch the session but said offensive coordinator Dick Curl was pleased with the performance.

"The plan is to see what it feels like tomorrow morning, after having had the 21 throws," Spagnuolo said. "Then go from there."

Spagnuolo also was noncommittal regarding Bulger's status for the final preseason game Thursday against the Kansas City Chiefs. He has already missed the past two games.

"It all depends on where he is," Spagnuolo said. " You'dlike to build for Thursday, but if he's not ready to, we're not going to."

Bulger, who only speaks to the media on Wednesdays, didn't take any snaps during Sunday's session and is on target to start the opening game on Sept. 13 at Seattle.

PATRIOTS Bruschi to retire

BOSTON - Tedy Bruschi is retiring after a 13-year career marked by an inspiring return to the New England Patriots as a starting linebacker eight months after a stroke.

A person familiar with his decision tells The Associated Press that the 36-year-old Bruschi will announce his retirement at a news conference Monday morning. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. The team declined comment Sunday night.

Bruschi played on all three Super Bowl-winning Patriots teams. The last championship game was on Feb. 6, 2005, against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ten days later he was hospitalized after experiencing numbness in his left arm and left leg and blurry vision and was diagnosed with a mild stroke.