A New Name, a New Team for al-Jabbar

Abdul-Karim al-Jabbar, formerly Karim Abdul Jabbar and Sharmon Shah before that, is changing teams. The Cleveland Brown free agent, who was a third-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1996, has signed with the Indianapolis Colts.

He was signed to replace Fred Lane, who was shot and killed in North Carolina last week. Lane was the backup to last season’s NFL rushing leader, Edgerrin James.

In four seasons, al-Jabbar has gained 3,413 yards in 1,003 carries.

Linebacker Dwight Hollier and wide receiver Jermaine Copeland were also signed by the Colts.

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Denver Bronco wide receiver Rod Smith was sentenced to two years’ probation in a domestic-violence case. Smith also was ordered to undergo 36 weeks of counseling.

In a plea bargain last month, third-degree assault and harassment charges in the case involving the mother of his two children were reduced to verbal harassment, and Smith pleaded guilty.

Smith was arrested Jan. 24 and accused of assaulting Jami Mourglia during an argument about who would get custody of the children as their relationship ended.

Mourglia told investigators Smith grabbed her by the throat, pulled her by the hair and banged her head on the floor several times, but later said she lied.

Prosecutors went forward with charges, saying it was not uncommon for a domestic-violence victim to recant.

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The Washington Redskins signed quarterback Todd Husak, their sixth-round draft pick from Stanford, to a two-year, $498,000 contract. Husak took a smaller signing bonus, $30,000, to get the two-year deal. His salary will be the NFL minimum, $193,000 the first year and $275,000 the second.

He is expected to be the third-string quarterback behind Brad Johnson and Jeff George.

The length of the contract represents a victory of sorts for Husak’s agent, Steve Baker. Baker wanted a deal for two years instead of three to give his client more flexibility in case Husak moves up the depth chart over the next two years.

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The Chicago Bears, desperate for a pass rusher but leery of adding an injury-plagued player, put Eric Swann through drills and gave him a physical exam. Swann was released by the Arizona Cardinals last week.

Carolina, Denver, Jacksonville and Baltimore are among the teams expressing interest.

“Which one will be headed for a Super Bowl, that is the main thing for me,” Swann said. “Also, I am a family man and I consider the city as well for my wife and my children. It is not one thing, it is a bunch of things together.”

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Linebacker Richard Harvey, who spent the last two seasons with the AFC West rival Oakland Raiders, agreed to a two-year deal with the San Diego Chargers.

The deal is worth a little more than $1 million, with incentives. This will be Harvey’s sixth NFL team.

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The Carolina Panthers signed first-round draft choice Rashard Anderson, a defensive back from Jackson State and the 23rd player taken in the draft. The Panthers also agreed to terms with linebacker Lester Towns of Washington and Pasadena High.

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R. Jay Soward signed the five-year, $5.45-million deal the Jacksonville Jaguars had offered him.

The Jaguars want Soward to compete with Reggie Barlow for the third receiver’s position and as a possible punt and kickoff returner. Soward, the 29th overall pick in the draft, can earn an extra $250,000 in incentives, in increments of $25,000. Among the plateaus Soward must reach: 41 catches, 60 catches, 13 touchdown catches, 801 yards receiving and 1,000 yards receiving.

Soward is the third-leading receiver in USC history.