Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA ó Michael Vick has signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Pro Bowl quarterback was designated as the teamís franchise player Feb. 15. He signed the franchise tender Wednesday.
Under rules of the collective bargaining agreement that expires at midnight tonight, a team must pay a franchise player the average of the top five salaries at his position. Vick would make an estimated $20 million under this tag.
Vick led the Eagles to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title after replacing an injured Kevin Kolb in Week 1. Vick had his best season, setting career highs in yards passing (3,018), touchdowns passing (21), touchdowns rushing (9), completion percentage (62.6) and passer rating (100.2).
CHARLOTTE ó The Carolina Panthers found a potential boost for the NFLís worst offense on Thursday by signing four-time Pro Bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey on a one-year deal.
The 30-year-old Shockey, who was released by New Orleans last week, had also received interest from the Miami Dolphins. He signed the contract ó terms werenít immediately available ó just before the collective bargaining agreement was to expire.
Shockey will be reunited in Carolina with offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who was his position coach at the University of Miami.
ěTime for the Next chapter,î Shockey wrote on his Facebook page. ěThis is a great opportunity for me, and I am excited to play football. Lets hope we all have the chance to play this season.î
Panthers coach Ron Rivera put an emphasis on acquiring a pass-catching tight end immediately after he was hired in January to replace John Fox following Carolinaís 2-14 season.
The flamboyant Shockey could be that guy, although the nine-year veteran has been slowed by injuries the past few seasons.
MILWAUKEE ó A.J. Hawkís absence from the Green Bay Packers didnít last long.
Hawkís agent, Mike McCartney, said Thursday that the linebacker signed a five-year deal with the Packers just one day after he was released in a cost-cutting move.
ěHeís thrilled to be back with his Super Bowl-winning teammates and a first-class organization,î McCartney said in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
The team announced the deal Thursday evening.
ěWe are pleased to have reached an agreement with A.J.,î Packers general manager Ted Thompson said. ěWe appreciate his work and dedication and look forward to his contributions to our team in the future.î
Hawk, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft, previously was scheduled to earn $10 million in 2011. When the Packers released him Wednesday, they did so with the hope that they could bring him back at a reduced salary.
COLLEGE HOOPS
MILWAUKEE ó Top Wisconsin high school recruit J.P. Tokoto says heís committed to playing college basketball at North Carolina.
The Menomonee Falls High School star forward made the announcement Thursday evening at a local restaurant in Milwaukee.
During the news conference, the 17-year-old junior was asked whether or not he had yet called Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams to inform him of his decision. Tokoto then took out his cell phone and called Williams as the crowd watched and listened.
Seton Hall 84, St. Johnís 70
NEWARK, N.J. ó Jeremy Hazell scored a season-high 31 points and Seton Hall, the worst 3-point shooting team in the Big East, made a season-best 12 from beyond the arc in an 84-70 victory over No. 15 St. Johnís on Thursday night, snapping the Red Stormís six-game winning streak.
Freshman Fuquan Edwin had a career-best 19 points for the Pirates (12-17, 6-11), who had lost three straight and five of six.
Wisconsin 77, Indians 67
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. ó Jordan Taylor scored a career-high 39 points and almost single-handedly stopped Indianaís second-half charge, leading No. 10 Wisconsin to a 77-67 victory on Thursday.
With three of Wisconsinís starters in foul trouble, Taylor accounted for all the Badgersí points in a decisive 14-4 run midway through the second half. That spurt turned a 46-45 lead into a 60-49 advantage.
No. 18 Arizona 70, Oregon State 59
TUCSON, Ariz. ó Derrick Williams had 15 points and 12 rebounds, Lamont Jones added 17 points and Arizona earned a share of its first Pac-10 title in six years.
Coming off consecutive losses for the first time this season, Arizona (24-6, 13-4) overcame some early shooting woes with defensive pressure, then pulled away in the second half to move within a game of its first undefeated home season in 12 years.
TENNIS
SANTIAGO, Chile ó Andy Roddick will face Nicolas Massu of Chile in the opening match of their first-round Davis Cup series on Friday.