Vikings sign Smith

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A day before their arrival at training camp, the Minnesota Vikings signed one of their two top draft picks -- linebacker Raonall Smith.

The team announced the signing late Thursday. Terms weren't disclosed.

Smith, taken in the second round out of Washington State, had been tough to sign in part because Houston gave its second-round pick, wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, a $2.15 million signing bonus.

The Vikings were still negotiating with their top pick, offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie.

McKinnie, taken seventh overall out of the University of Miami, is the most critical to secure because he's been appointed the Vikings' starting left tackle.

"It's just moving along," said Rob Brzezinski, the team's chief contract negotiator. "It's a tough deal to do."

Jim Steiner, one of McKinnie's agents, didn't return a call Thursday.

Meanwhile, McKinnie has been working out in Miami while his agents talk with the team. The Vikings are hopeful he won't miss much of camp, if any.

"They're good agents -- they're looking out for their client," Brzezinski said Thursday. "It's typical for a lot of these deals. We don't report until (Friday) night, so we should be all right."

It's been awhile -- Chris Doleman in 1985 was the last -- since Minnesota has had to negotiate with a top-10 pick. The Vikings were glad to have a crack at the top talent, but they'd take a better season and a lower pick anytime.

"We don't want to be here too often," Brzezinski said.

The Vikings are required to arrive at Minnesota State University in Mankato -- their training camp headquarters for the past 38 years -- by 5 p.m. Friday. They'll have their first workout Saturday morning.

If McKinnie isn't signed when camp starts, Lewis Kelly -- who played well earlier this summer in NFL Europe -- will be the left tackle and Chris Liwienski will remain at right tackle, where he filled in admirably after Korey Stringer's death.

Coach Mike Tice, the offensive line coach last year before his promotion to succeed Dennis Green, believes the Vikings' best unit includes McKinnie at left tackle, Liwienski at left guard, Pro Bowler Matt Birk at center, veteran David Dixon at right guard and Kelly at right tackle.

"Hopefully Bryant will be in on Saturday, so I don't have to move (Kelly) to left tackle and hinder his development," Tice said.