Cowboys sign LB Akin Ayodele

AYODELE IRVING (AP) - The Dallas Cowboys signed linebacker Akin Ayodele to a $17 million, five-year deal Monday that includes a $5 million bonus, a hefty raise from the last time he worked for the club - as a ball boy.

Ayodele went to Irving MacArthur High School, not far from the team's headquarters and Texas Stadium. He then became a star pass rusher as a defensive end at Purdue, moving to linebacker after becoming a third-round pick by Jacksonville in 2002.

He's played all 64 games since entering the league, starting 46 times, and has had at least 100 tackles in each of his four seasons with the Jaguars. He's also had 8 1/2 sacks and three interceptions for his career, plus forced eight fumbles, four of them last season.

The 6-foot-2, 246-pound Ayodele will be part of a changing cast in the Cowboys' 3-4

scheme. Dat Nguyen is retiring and Scott Fujita signed with the New Orleans Saints on Monday. With Al Singleton and Kevin Burnett returning from injuries, only Bradie James and last year's top draft pick D e M a r c u s Ware are the only incumbents set to pick up where they left off.

Ayodele is the second free agent the Cowboys have lured from another team, joining offensive lineman Kyle Kosier from Detroit. Dallas also has resigned offensive lineman Andre Gurode.

The Cowboys just missed out on the playoffs this season, and signed head coach Bill Parcells to an extension shortly after the season ended. Parcells, a twotime Super Bowl winner, will come back for at least this season, his fourth as head coach of the club.