NFL
The Rams signed two draft picks from USF - third-rounder Jerome Murphy and seventh-rounder George Selvie - according to multiple reports out of St. Louis on Saturday.
They're the first of USF's draft picks from this year's draft to sign, and both players agreed to four-year contracts that allow them to be unrestricted free agents after the 2013 season.
According to ProFootballTalk.com, Murphy, a defensive back, becomes the highest pick in the draft to sign so far, with a signing bonus of $937,379 as part of a four-year deal worth $2.727 million. Terms have not been reported for Selvie, a defensive end, but as a seventh-round pick, his signing bonus will be substantially less, likely in the range of $60,000 to $70,000.
USF has three unsigned picks: first-rounder Jason Pierre-Paul (defensive end, Giants), second-rounder Nate Allen (safety, Eagles) and sixth-rounder Carlton Mitchell (receiver, Browns).
Greg Auman, Times staff writer
* * *
MORE NFL
Giants pick recovering from leg surgery
Giants officials have been in contact with injured third-round draft pick Chad Jones, a safety from LSU, who had surgery on a broken left leg after crashing his sport-utility vehicle in New Orleans.
ProFootballTalk.com reported Jones is out of critical condition and that his agent suggested that Jones may some day run again.
Jones likely will be put on the nonfootball illness/injury list for this season, but he will likely keep his signing bonus, thought to be more than $800,000.
* * *
ET CETERA
GREYHOUNDS: Tmc's Remedy ($7.40) ran down Flying Coal City in the final yards to win the $30,000 St. Petersburg Derby on Saturday at Derby Lane. It was fourth stakes win and 59th victory overall for the Filipelli & O'Donnell Kennel dog, who is expected to be retired. Patriot Kennel's Starz Lee Steel ($3.80) won the $10,000 Consolation Derby.
HORSES: Devil May Care, making her first start since running 10th against the colts in the Kentucky Derby, won the $250,000 Mother Goose Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Belmont Park. ... Strike It Rich won the $150,000 Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., by 1-1/4 lengths.
SOFTBALL: Lauren Lappin had three hits and four RBIs, and Jennie Finch got the victory as the United States beat Botswana 21-0 in a game that was stopped after three innings at the world championships in Caracas, Venezuela. The Americans, unbeaten in four games, play Australia today. Olympic champion Japan, also 4-0, beat Cuba 1-0.
Don Jensen, Times correspondent; Times wires
* * *
FAST FACTS
Florida Boxing Hall of Fame
What: 2010 induction
When/where: 11:30 a.m. today; Crown Plaza, 5303 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
On tap: Breakfast with the inductees, 8:30 to 10 a.m. ($20 advance only)
Information: Call (813) 884-7711 or visit floridaboxinghalloffame.com