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<B>SPORTS<i>bytes</i></B><P>
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<FONT SIZE=4><B>Compiled from wire reports</B></FONT>
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<fontsize =4><b>Smith signs with Denver Broncos</b></font><P>
<B>DENVER</B> -- Defensive end Neil Smith, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, signed with the Denver Broncos yesterday.Eugene Parker, agent for the former Kansas City Chiefs star, last week agreed to a contract with the Broncos. But he said Smith hadn't indicated whether he would sign the one-year, incentive-laden deal.
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Smith was allowed to become a free agent after a subpar season in 1996. After visiting with several teams, including Denver, Smith met with Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer last week and was told Kansas City could not fit him under its salary cap.
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Smith had only 4 1/2 sacks in 1996, his lowest total since his rookie year in 1988, when he was the second player taken in the college draft.
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<font size = 4><b>Rudd looking to cash in on draft</b></font>
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<B>TUSCALOOSA, Ala.</B> -- While his ex-teammates labor through spring practice, Dwayne Rudd is looking to cash in on a great decision.
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The Alabama linebacker agonized over whether to stay with the Crimson Tide for his senior year or come out a season early. Since he made the choice to come out, his stock has gone up.
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"When he first started thinking about going out early, the speculation was that he was going to be drafted in the second 10," said Alabama coach Mike DuBose. "But now, after going to the (NFL) combine, he's being projected from five to 10."
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The 6-foot-2, 242-pound Rudd is considered by most scouts to be the top outside linebacker and a likely top 10 pick in Saturday's draft.
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He's already being compared to former Alabama greats Cornelius Bennett and Derrick Thomas, although some scouts and coaches are concerned because Rudd didn't consistently dominate games they way those two did.
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Still, Rudd was named the AP's Southeastern Conference's defensive player of the year and a second-team All American.
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He finished the season with 74 tackles, four sacks and 16 quarterback pressures. In three years with Alabama, he had 191 tackles, nine sacks and three interceptions.
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