Tony Romo has yet to throw an NFL pass during his two season in the league, but that didn't stop Dallas Cowboys officials on Friday from handing the young quarterback a new, two-year contract extension. Romo, originally signed as an undrafted college free agent in 2003 after a stellar career at Eastern Illinois, signed a deal that will pay him $1.88 million for this season and 2006.

Bill Ryclik is negotiating with the city to sell the home he's owned since 1959 and a rental house next door to make way for a Dallas Cowboys stadium. He said he's mostly satisfied with the offer, although he's asking for a little more money. "We don't have a long way to go," he said. "They seem to want to treat you right." Mr. Rychlik, 81, is one of several residential property owners sandwiched between Randol Mill Road and Sanford Street who have received offers for their homes. City officials would not reveal the number of people who have been given offers or the number who have agreed to them. Because this mix of rent houses and longtime residents is in the stadium "footprint," Arlington officials are making offers there first so construction can begin in spring 2006. Other property owners, whose land will be needed for parking, will receive offers later. The $650 million stadium is scheduled to open in 2009. "Right now, it's going surprisingly smoothly," said Roger Venables, the city's real estate manager. "There was a lot of angst and apprehension."

Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton says he went into the drug business because of his competative nature. "I've always been competitive, I've always been in sports," said Newton, a six-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman who retired after the 2000 season. "I couldn't see myself not being the biggest dope man." Newton, 43, was released from a Louisiana prison last year on drug possession charges after serving about 2? years behind bars. Newton estimates that he stood to make up to $75,000 per drug deal, another reason he said running drugs appealed to him. Newton made his comments Thursday during a talk show on Dallas radio station KKDA. He said he became remorseful while serving time in a federal prison in Texarkana, before he was transferred to a federal facility in Louisiana. "I got on my knees and said, 'God, I want to make a deal. ... You protect me in here, and when I come out, I'll do everything I can to make it right,'" he said.

The Dallas Cowboys picked up free agent Reggie Love, a wide receiver out of Duke University. Love originally went to camp as a receiver with the Green Bay Packers in 2004, but was released prior to the start of the regular season. He than returned to Duke to finish up his degree. Love will play linebacker for the Cowboys.