Darren McFadden and the Oakland Raiders entered contract talks with one major goal in mind: avoid a training camp holdout.

The two sides accomplished that after only two days of negotiations, finalizing a $60 million, six-year contract that ensures McFadden will be in training camp on time and not repeat the protracted holdout that derailed JaMarcus Russell's rookie year in Oakland.

"I'm very happy to have it out of the way," McFadden said yesterday at a news conference in Alameda, Calif. "Because like coach said, I want to be in training camp. I want to be out there practicing and learning plays. Missing a day of training camp is like missing a week of college practices. It would be a major setback for me."

That's exactly what happened to Russell and the Raiders a year ago, when the No. 1 overall pick did not sign his $61 million contract until after the regular season started and ended up starting only one game at quarterback.

McFadden and his agent Ian Greengross sat down Tuesday night to go over his priorities in a contract and talks with the Raiders began the following day.

The deal was finalized Thursday night and McFadden went to the Raiders facility yesterday to sign the contract that will guarantee him $26 million and accept congratulations from owner Al Davis.

"I think given their experience last year certainly helped us out in terms of making smoother progress," said Greengross. "But it was still make progress, hit a wall, just like any other team. I wouldn't say it was any better, I wouldn't say it was any worse."

OBITUARY

'MAD DOG' WHITE WAS PART OF STEEL CURTAIN

Dwight White, the Steel Curtain defensive end known as "Mad Dog" who helped lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl titles in the 1970s, died following surgery. He was 58.

He died at a Pittsburgh hospital, the team said yesterday. The cause was not disclosed.

White is the second member of the original four-man Steel Curtain to die this year. Defensive tackle Ernie Holmes died Jan. 17 in a car accident in Texas.

White, a two-time Pro Bowl player, was chosen as one of the 33 members of the Steelers' 75th anniversary all-time team last season.

White was best known for climbing out of a hospital bed to play in the Steelers' first Super Bowl victory, 16-6 over the Minnesota Vikings in 1975. White lost 18 pounds after being diagnosed with pneumonia and a lung infection, yet played nearly the entire game.

White made three tackles for no yards as the Vikings ran seven of their first eight running plays his way and went on to finish with only 17 yards rushing on 21 attempts. White also accounted for the only points of the first half when he sacked Fran Tarkenton in the end zone for a safety.

White, a former player at East Texas State (now Texas A&M-Commerce), gained his nickname because of his intensity. He often said that playing on the defensive line was like having "a dog's life."

Steelers chairman Dan Rooney said that inner drive was the reason the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder could play so well only hours after being hospitalized.

White retired after the 1980 season and became a prominent stock broker in Pittsburgh. Most recently, he was senior managing director of public finance for Mesirow Financial in Pittsburgh.

SHORT SNAPS

Broncos: Denver center Tom Nalen had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee yesterday and is expected to be ready for training camp in July. The 14-year veteran has played in 194 games, including 188 starts. Only two Broncos have played in more: kicker Jason Elam, now with the Falcons, who played in 236 games, and retired quarterback John Elway, who played in 234.

Jaguars: Jacksonville safety Gerald Sensabaugh apologized yesterday for his second arrest in 14 months and contradicted a police report that said he was "doing wheelies" on a motorcycle. Sensabaugh was arrested May 30 in his hometown of Kingsport, Tenn., and charged with reckless driving. He was released on a $500 bond and given a July 22 court date.