PHOENIX ? (REUTERS) The Arizona Cardinals reached a five-year contract agreement with first-round defensive tackle Wendell Bryant, Thursday afternoon, ending a long dispute and leaving just one unsigned draft choice.
The financial details of the agreement were not available.
“I’m glad the deal is done,” coach Dave McGinnis said. “Now he’ll get some of that damn good coaching he’s been missing.”
The accord between the two sides leaves only Minnesota Vikings’ first-round choice Bryant McKinnie, an offensive tackle from the University of Miami, unsigned among all drafted players. McKinnie has said he will sit out the ’02 season rather than sign a below market contract.
Bryant, who turned 22 Thursday, was the 12th overall choice in the draft. The former Wisconsin star appeared in 48 games and started 37 of them for the Badgers. He had 189 tackles and 24 sacks.
The Cardinals said Bryant would arrive in Phoenix in time to practice Friday. The Cardinals, who play at Seattle Sunday, will request a two-game roster exemption for the addition.