Former N.C. State defensive back Miguel Scott has signed a free agent contract with the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants.

Scott, who was invited to the rookie minicamp on a tryout basis last week, was a three-year starter for the Wolfpack as a safety and recorded more than 40 tackles during his senior season. He played in 42 games in his career with 27 of those being starts. He had more than 180 tackles and three interceptions at NCSU.

FROM N.C. STATE NEWS RELEASE

BILLS RELEASE EVERETT: Buffalo released Kevin Everett on Tuesday, clearing the way for the former tight end to receive disability benefits for the spinal cord injury that ended his career.

Everett was initially paralyzed from the neck down after a violent collision with then-Denver receiver Domenik Hixon on a kickoff return in last year's opener.

Doctors doubted Everett would walk again, but he regained many motor skills, including the ability to walk without assistance.

Everett will be able to apply for long-term disability benefits and a one-time payment under the player health reimbursement plan. He would not have been eligible for the programs if he stayed on the Bills' active roster.

"We had numerous discussions with the league in dealing with this process to assist him in the best way possible," the team said in a statement Tuesday.

TATUPU ARRESTED: Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu was arrested early Saturday morning for investigation of drunken driving.

Police in Kirkland, Wash., the suburban home of the Seahawks' headquarters and practice facility, reported Tatupu registered blood-alcohol levels of .155 and .158 in breath test readings -- nearly twice the legal limit in Washington. Those tests came almost 90 minutes after the 25-year-old cornerstone of Seattle's defense was handcuffed and driven to the police station.

"I want to apologize to my family, teammates, the Seahawks ownership and organization, and the fans for making a poor decision and putting myself in a bad situation," Tatupu said in a statement released by the team Tuesday.

BRIEFLY: Mike Ditka gained some important support in his bid to help players who are now ailing in retirement. Doctors in Arizona and Pennsylvania announced on Tuesday that they are donating medical care to those in need through the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund.

* The Oakland Raiders made another move to try to upgrade their defense Tuesday, signing free-agent defensive end Greg Spires to a one-year contract.

* A Tampa, Fla., judge has sentenced former NFL running back Troy Hambrick to five years in prison for selling crack cocaine.

(The Associated Press)