Wellington Mara of the New York Giants, one of the NFL's most influential owners for more than a half century and the last of the league's founding generation, died Tuesday. He was 89. Mara, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997, died of cancer at his home in Rye, the team said. Mara's influence went far beyond the Giants. He clearly was one of the most important figures in NFL history. ``Wellington Mara represented the heart and soul of the National Football League,'' NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said. ``He was a man of deep conviction who stood as a beacon of integrity.''

The Giants continue to lock up some of the best young players around quarterback Eli Manning by reaching a five-year, $14 million deal for guard David Diehl that included $3.92 million in signing bonus money. Diehl is the first of the young group of Giants offensive linemen to blossom. A left guard drafted in the fifth round of the 2003 draft, Diehl showed great athletism and run-blocking dominance next to left tackle Luke Petitgout. Along with second-year guard Chris Snee, the Giants are establishing a strong, young middle to protect Manning along with blocking for halfback Tiki Barber.

The New York Giants will be without cornerback William Peterson for the next 4-6 weeks after Peterson suffered a lower back injury. "We're gathering information. There's a lot of options that are available at this time," coach Tom Coughlin said. "There's the possibility of this being something that has to be considered over a 4-to-6-week period. We're just going to have to sit down with all the facts and make that decision."

Jeremy Shockey, the New York Giants' flamboyant and sometimes spectacular tight end, signed a five-year, $31.2 million contract extension on Wednesday. Shockey's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said the deal makes him the NFL's highest-paid player at his position. It includes a $3 million signing bonus for Shockey, who had two years left on his contract. The tight end, New York's first-round pick in 2002, had a spectacular rookie year, catching 74 passes for 894 yards. He was voted both to the All-Pro team and the Pro Bowl. He has been bothered by injuries the past two years, although he made the Pro Bowl again in 2003. Last year, he was the Giants' leading receiver with 61 catches, but complained at times about having too many blocking duties in a controlled offense designed to help rookie Eli Manning break in at quarterback.