James decides to join team in Japan

Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2005 | 9:14 a.m.

SUN WIRE SERVICES

Like it or not, Edgerrin James will experience Tokyo.

The Indianapolis Colts' career rushing leader and reluctant air traveler and preseason participant confirmed after Monday morning's practice at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology that he will accompany the team to Tokyo for Saturday's preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

"Yeah, I'm going to go. I might drive," James said, laughing. "I'm going to go ahead and get it over with.

"They're coming down on me real hard."

James declined to address whether the team threatened disciplinary action if he followed through on his desire not to join his teammates for the 16-hour flight. The team leaves Tuesday afternoon.

"It's easy to say, 'Nah, I don't want to,' but just eliminate all the controversy and everything," James said. "I'm just going to get on the plane and walk up and down (the aisles) for about 16 hours."

Coach Tony Dungy's response to James' change of heart?

"Somehow I'm not surprised," he said. "It really was much ado about nothing."

James' disdain for flying and playing in preseason games is well documented. His desire to avoid the Tokyo trip surfaced during an interview as part of a story in last week's Sports Illustrated. He was quoted as saying, "The closest I'm going to get to Tokyo is Benihana."

The team's first-round draft pick agreed to a contract late Monday, missing just one day of training camp.

Taken No. 25 overall out of Auburn, the quarterback will sign a five-year deal today and report for the afternoon practice, according to agent Joel Segal.

Campbell is expected to be the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Patrick Ramsey and Mark Brunell. His selection was somewhat of a surprise because coach Joe Gibbs had already anointed Ramsey, who is in his fourth year in the league, as the starter.

Campbell completed 70 percent of his passes for 2,700 yards with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions in the Tigers' 13-0 season.

Auburn cornerback Carlos Rogers, the No. 9 overall pick, is the Redskins' lone holdout.

Redskins linebacker LaVar Arrington (knee) and defensive tackle Brandon Noble (knee) didn't practice and were placed on the physically unable to perform list because neither passed a physical.

To prevent a repeat, Pittman is putting more emphasis on the way he holds the ball in traffic.

"Last year, I was holding the ball very loose, and I don't know the reason why," he said. "It was just careless ball-handling on my part."

He is now "keeping the ball right against my rib cage with my fingertips over the point. Last year, my fingertips weren't over the point and that would have the tip open where people could really knock the ball out of my hand. Hopefully I've eliminated that."

Rookie linebacker Dan Cody sprained a ligament in his right knee Monday morning during Baltimore's first training camp practice. There is no timetable for his return.

Merriman, the 12th player picked in the NFL draft, caused a stir when he stayed away from both minicamps and other offseason workouts on the advice of his agent, Kevin Poston, who didn't like the wording in the agreement that protects players in case they get hurt before they sign a contract.

He is due in camp on Tuesday, when the Chargers have a night practice.

"He's in better condition than he was three to four days ago. His weight is better than it was three to four days ago," coach Bill Parcells said.

That deal left defensive end Erasmus James, the 18th overall selection, as the only Vikings rookie without a contract.

Rookie safety Dustin Fox will miss four to six weeks with a broken left arm. Fox, a third-round draft pick, was injured Sunday.

Alexander signed a $6.32 million tender last week, the first step toward the long-term contract that the standout running back and the Seahawks front office both say they'd like to see.

"I would be shocked if I'm not here next year," Alexander said. "I would be shocked if I'm not here two years from now or three years from now."

The Packers signed tight end Tory Humphrey, a 6-2, 257-pound rookie from Central Michigan. He's a non-drafted free agent who was with the Colts from April 29-June 14.

"He felt a little bit in his hamstring," coach Norv Turner said. "He didn't think he pulled it. We'll know more tomorrow."