PITTSBURGH — Two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jason Gildon agreed to a 5-year, $23 million contract with the Steelers on Monday that will keep the core of one of the league's top defenses intact.

        Gildon has led the team in sacks the past four seasons and is third on the team's all-time sack list. He was named the Steelers' franchise player on Thursday after the team failed to reach contract terms. The contract includes a $7 million signing bonus.

        Gildon, drafted in 1994, said he didn't doubt he would continue to play for the Steelers. “I want to be here and they want me here,” Gildon said. “I have the opportunity to finish my career as a Pittsburgh Steeler”

        Gildon, who was voted to the all-Pro team this year, replaced two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Levon Kirkland as defensive captain after the Steelers cut Kirkland, a nine-year veteran at inside linebacker, in March 2001 to make room under the salary cap.

        “He is a very unselfish player, a leader, a professional,” coach Bill Cowher said. “He had his chance to play and he's playing.”

        Gildon finished last season with 12 sacks and 65 tackles as well as one interception and six blocked passes.

        He also forced three fumbles and recovered two fumbles.

        With 62 1/2 sacks, Gildon, who played at Oklahoma State, is third behind L.C. Greenwood (73 1/2) and Joe Greene (66) on the team's all-time sack list and could become the Steelers' best if he repeats last season.

        BUCCANEERS:

        Offensive lineman Randall McDaniel, whose league-record string of 12 consecutive Pro Bowl starts ended this season, announced his retirement Monday night.

        McDaniel spent the last two seasons of his 14-year career with the Buccaneers after playing the first 12 with the Minnesota Vikings, who selected him in the first round of the 1988 draft. The 37-year-old lineman ended his career with a streak of 202 consecutive starts.

        FALCONS: The Michael Vick era began Monday, when Atlanta released 36-year-old starter Chris Chandler, its starting quarterback for the past five seasons. Receiver Terance Mathis also was cut in a purge of high salaries. NFL teams have until Friday to get under the $71.8 million salary cap for the 2002 season.

        Free safety Ronnie Bradford was also cut.

        Chandler, 36, led the Falcons to the Super Bowl after the 1998 season, where they lost to Denver. That was one of the few seasons in his 14-year career when he stayed healthy. Last season, Chandler started 14 of 16 games and finished with 2,847 passing yards, second to the 3,154 passing yards that he had in 1998.

        Vick, last year's No.1 overall draft choice, spent the 2001 season as Chandler's backup. By cutting Chandler, a 14-year veteran who led Atlanta to its only Super Bowl appearance, the Falcons severed ties with their starting quarterback of the last five seasons.

        SAINTS:

        Running back Ricky Williams was arrested for speeding late Sunday, after being clocked driving 126 mph, Louisiana state police said. Williams posted a $500 bond for speeding and a $100 bond for careless operation.

        BROWNS: Cleveland released offensive lineman Roman Oben, citing the need for changes on its line.

        PATRIOTS: The Super Bowl champion New England Patriots cut wide receivers Curtis Jackson and Charles Johnson and cornerback Terrence Shaw on Monday, and signed defensive tackle Jayce Saylor.

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Coming up this week
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Roundup: Girls
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Ohio boys basketball scores
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High school schedule

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