USF's Allen gets wake-up call with Eagles

Nate Allen's brief holdout didn't have any impact on his status with the Philadelphia Eagles. His sleep pattern is another thing.

Coach Andy Reid said the team's second-round draft pick from the University of South Florida will remain the starting free safety - a position he earned during minicamps.

But Allen didn't get much rest before his first day of camp.

After missing the first day of training camp, Allen was unable to sign his contract - a four-year deal - until the final details were hammered out early Wednesday morning. He arrived at Lehigh University at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, but wasn't able to check into his dorm room until 2:30 a.m.

Allen arose at 6:15, and took part in the morning practice at 8:45 - in which he promptly dropped a ball in a drill and did a few push-ups as punishment. And that, he said, was "a wake-up call."

A much-needed one, apparently.

The Eagles took Allen with the 37th overall pick in April's draft, a pick they acquired from the Washington Redskins in the Donovan McNabb deal. A native of Coral Springs, Allen said he had been in Philadelphia recently, and that he had been working out, studying his playbook and "getting pretty antsy."

"Every rep counts," he said. "I knew that sitting at home. I was ready to get up here and start working. I'm glad to be up here, finally."

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

BILLS: Buffalo agreed to a contract with second-round draft pick Torell Troup, a defensive tackle out of Central Florida.

BRONCOS: Quarterback Tim Tebow missed the first day of workouts for rookies and injured players because he has yet to sign a contract.

CHARGERS: Antonio Gates agreed to a $36.175 million, five-year contract extension, making him the NFL's highest-paid tight end.

CHIEFS: Former Robinson High standout and Alabama All-American Javier Arenas signed a four-year contract with Kansas City, agent Hadley Engelhard said. Arenas, a cornerback and return specialist for Alabama, was the 50th overall pick in this year's draft, taken in the second round.

JETS: The team signed veteran quarterback Mark Brunell, who backed up Drew Brees last season for New Orleans, to a two-year contract.

PANTHERS: The team signed QB Jimmy Clausen to a four-year contract that includes $2.53 million in guarantees.

PATRIOTS: First-round draft choice Devin McCourty, a cornerback from Rutgers, signed a five-year deal worth $13.2 million with $7.825 million guaranteed, according to his agent, Andy Simms.

RAMS: The team announced it has come to terms with its second-round draft pick, right tackle Rodger Saffold. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

REDSKINS: Offensive lineman Mike Williams is out for the year after a blot clot was discovered in his lungs.

Also, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth must pass a conditioning test before he can practice with the team after skipping the entire offseason program.

SEAHAWKS: Second-round draft choice Golden Tate, a wide receiver from Notre Dame, said he and the team agreed to a multiyear contract.