Two Butler County natives recently were named to the 2005 Don Hansen's Football Gazette Division II All-Northeast Region Team.

Knoch graduate and Edinboro University senior offensive tackle Greg Bzorek made the first team offense, along with Slippery Rock High School product and SRU senior running back Josh Kniess.

Kniess was honored as an all-purpose back on offense and made the second team defense as a return specialist. He ended his career as The Rock's all-time leader in all-purpose yards.

Other SRU players who were recognized were sophomore defensive end Cory Lacek, who made the first team and senior defensive lineman Robert Minnie, who was named to the third team.

PITTSBURGH — Former Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Giovanni Carrara has signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.The move reunites the right-hander — at least in spring training — with Pirates manager Jim Tracy, who also left the Dodgers after last season.Carrara, 37, an eight-year veteran, was 7-4 with a 3.93 earned run average and 56 strikeouts in 76innings last season. Carrara was removed from the Dodgers' roster in October and assigned outright to AAA Las Vegas.

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals gave quarterback Carson Palmer a six-year contract extension through 2014 Thursday.Palmer, who won the Heisman Trophy at Southern California in 2003, was under contract through 2008.Under the reworked deal, Palmer will get a $15 million bonus and a base salary of $6.75 million next season. The Bengals owe him a $9 million option by Jan. 1, 2007 — they'll have the option of letting the rest of the deal take effect or nullifying it at that time, but have to pay the same amount either way.