Broncos sign DE Smith

The Denver Broncos signed five-time Pro Bowl defensive end NeilSmith to a one-year contract Monday.

Smith, 31, ranks as one of the top sack artists in the NFL with86 in his career. But after recording only six last season, theKansas City Chiefs informed him last week that they could not affordto re-sign him.

The Broncos offered Smith a deal that reportedly will pay himbetween $1 million and $1.5 million in base salary, with incentivesthat could swell it to $3 million.The San Diego Chargers signed free-agent defensive end WilliamFuller to a two-year, $4.4 million contract and released troubleddefensive end Chris Mims.4th ref indicted on tax evasionJess Kersey became the fourth NBA referee to be indicted ontax-evasion charges for allegedly failing to pay income taxes onmoney he saved by downgrading league-issued plane tickets.A federal grand jury in Norfolk, Va., indicted Kersey on fivecharges of tax evasion, the U.S. attorney's office said. The maximumpenalty for each violation is three years in prison and a $250,000fine.Referees Mike Mathis, George Toliver and Hank Armstrong wereindicted on similar charges in February. The indictments stem from atwo-year Internal Revenue Service investigation.Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning was fined $7,500, New York Knicksforward Buck Williams $5,000 and Knicks forward Charles Oakley $4,000for a shoving incident in the Knicks' 100-99 victory Saturday.A grand jury declined to indict Portland Trail Blazers forward GaryTrent in connection with a fight at a bar in Portland, Ore., hislawyer said. Trent hit a man with a pool cue March 15 but said theother man provoked him and that he acted in self-defense.University of Minnesota forward Courtney James pleaded not guilty toa fifth-degree assault charge in Minneapolis. James was arrestedearly Saturday after allegedly hitting his girlfriend with a phonebook and throwing her to the floor at her duplex.Attorneys for Fresno State point guard Dominick Young filed an $11.2million libel suit against the Fresno (Calif.) Bee over reports thatthe player is the focus of a point-shaving investigation.