NFL Free Agency Capsules: Atlanta succeeds in courtship of CB Robinson
ATLANTA — Falcons owner Arthur Blank took the same approach with Dunta Robinson that he used two years ago on Michael Turner.
Welcome to Atlanta, your first and final stop as an unrestricted agent.
"I was brought in on Mr. Blank's private jet," Robinson said Monday, "and I was sold from that point on."
Robinson, considered by many as the most sought-after cornerback in free agency, left the Houston Texans to sign a six-year, $57 million contract with Atlanta.
Approximately $22.5 million is guaranteed, though Robinson suggested the Falcons offered more than a big payday.
"This is something I've always dreamed about growing up in Athens, Ga.," Robinson said. "This was the first professional team that I wanted to play for. I'm home. This is where I need to be. Here is where I'm most comfortable."
Blank, general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith courted Turner in similar fashion before he signed a six-year, $34.5 million deal with $15 million guaranteed in early March 2009.
"We want to create an environment where a player really wants to be here, not because of the contract, but because ... of our culture, our coaching staff and the resources we make available," Blank said. "It's a credit to our organization that whom we would argue was the top cornerback available this year in free agency made only one stop."
Just as Turner enforced Atlanta's rushing attack as the NFL's second-leading rusher two years ago, the Falcons hope Robinson steadies a secondary that includes three young cornerbacks in Christopher Owens, Brent Grimes and Chevis Jackson and two young strong safeties in Thomas DeCoud and William Moore.
Free safety Erik Coleman will play his seventh season in 2010, cornerback Brian Williams, who signed a new one-year contract last week, will be playing his ninth season. Veteran cornerback Tye Hill is still on the roster, too.
Robinson and Williams are likely to open mini-camp in May as the starting corners. Smith indicated that Robinson will be used similarly to the role he had in Houston: jamming the opponent's No. 1 receiver at the line of scrimmage before dropping into coverage.
In the first year under Smith and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder, Atlanta played mostly zone coverage. The Falcons mixed up their schemes to be less predictable last year, but they finished as the 28th-ranked in pass defense.
Dimitroff loves Robinson's fast, physical style of play.
"He has an uncanny ability, in our minds, to take the ball out and make plays on the ball," Dimitroff said. "He is very, very confident, and I'm sure you'll notice by the way he carries himself, an element of swagger we are definitely looking for with this football team."
Robinson, who has 13 career interceptions, sounded Monday as if he's ready to start training camp.
After Smith espoused his ability to tackle, the coach said he was looking forward to the "DBs and receivers mixing it up in practice."
Robinson quickly interrupted.
"I agree," he said.
Texans sign WR Walter and P Turk
HOUSTON — Receiver Kevin Walter and punter Matt Turk, unrestricted free agents, have been re-signed by the Houston Texans.
Walter started 14 games opposite Andre Johnson last season and had 53 receptions for 611 yards and two touchdowns. He joined the Texans in 2006 and has 195 receptions for 2,470 yards and 15 touchdowns since arriving in Houston.
Walter, who has started 45 games in the last three seasons, signed with the Texans after three seasons in Cincinnati.
Turk averaged a franchise-best 42.8 yards per punt last season and landed 24 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line. The 41-year-old spent the last three seasons with the Texans after a year in St. Louis.
Terms were not disclosed Monday.
Features
DE Kampman expects to help Jaguars right away
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Following knee surgery in early December, Aaron Kampman's goal was to walk without a limp in seven days.
He did it. If the rest of his rehab continues at the same pace, the Jacksonville Jaguars could end up with one of the best free agent signings of the offseason.
Kampman, a two-time Pro Bowl defensive end who signed a four-year contract worth $26 million with Jacksonville, expects to be on the field when training camp begins in July and give his new team a much-needed boost to its pathetic pass rush.
"I anticipate being ready to get after it," Kampman said Monday. "My knee is great. I'm very encouraged by it."
Kampman spent the last eight seasons in Green Bay and emerged as one of the NFL's elite pass rushers while recording 37 sacks between 2006 and 2008. His productivity dipped last season because he didn't make a smooth transition to Green Bay's 3-4 defensive scheme that called for him to play outside linebacker.
He had just 3½ sacks before missing a game in mid-November because of a concussion. He returned the following week, but tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He had surgery Dec. 4 and hopes to make a full recovery within seven months.
The Jaguars realize they are taking a risk by signing a 30-year-old defender coming off major knee surgery. But they also believe Kampman's work ethic and relentless effort could lead to a rapid recovery and an instant upgrade along the defensive line.
"He is a guy that has proven at the professional level that he can get to the quarterback," Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker said. "He has done it more than one season. He's not a flash in the pan. He's a steady, consistent guy in that regard, a Pro Bowl-caliber player.
"Some guys proved they could get to the quarterback in college, but it doesn't translate to the pros. He's a guy that has proven at this level, against excellent competition, year-in and year-out, that he can get to the quarterback."
Kampman will play right end for Jacksonville, a position that plagued the team all of last season. Former first-round draft pick Derrick Harvey, second-rounder Quentin Groves, undrafted rookie Julius Williams and second-year pro Bryan Smith all failed to lock down the premier spot in 2009.
Now, it's Kampman's turn.
"I'm excited to put my hand back on the ground, very excited," he said. "I have a fire burning to do that."
The Jaguars finished with a franchise-worst 14 sacks last season, the fifth-lowest total in NFL history. Owner Wayne Weaver, general manager Gene Smith and coach Jack Del Rio vowed to upgrade the line, and they targeted Kampman before free agency began Friday.
He visited Jacksonville on Saturday, liked what he saw and heard, and signed a deal the following day that includes $11 million guaranteed.
"I think I can help. I hope I can help," he said. "Historically, Jacksonville has been very good on defense. I know the last couple of years it hasn't been up to that standard. I feel like I have a chance to be a part of something and to put it back where that standard has been. I want to help do that, so this seemed like a good fit."
Center Brad Meester made it an even better fit.
Kampman and Meester were high school teammates at Aplington-Parkersburg High in Iowa and remained close friends through college and the pros. Kampman and his wife, Linde, were accompanied to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium on Monday by Meester's wife, Jamie.
"They are a big asset for us, especially for my wife," Kampman said. "We have been driving around looking at schools, and that will be helpful for us in the transition."
The most important transition, though, depends on Kampman's health. He's not sure when he will start running again. But he's sure it will be sooner than expected.
"We are not on normal timelines," he said. "When you start to think about how long it could be, that can put seeds in your mind of weakness. I'll let my body heal the way it is supposed to heal. The Lord has been gracious to me, and I am thankful for how it is healing. Hopefully that will continue."
-- Mark Long
Boldin on Baltimore: 'It's a place that fits me'
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Ozzie Newsome has lamented his poor judgment about Anquan Boldin for years.
Newsome decided against selecting Boldin in the 2003 NFL draft. Given the opportunity to make things right, the Baltimore Ravens general manager couldn't resist trading for the three-time Pro Bowler.
The Ravens introduced their new primary wide receiver to the media Monday, and although Boldin signed a lucrative contract only minutes earlier, Newsome appeared to be the happiest man in the room.
"When Anquan came out in the draft, he was the subject of a lot of discussion in our war room," Newsome said. "Not too many times do you get a chance to recover from a mistake. I think I made a mistake in that draft, to worry more about measurables than about the football player. And what Anquan is is a football player."
On Friday, Newsome traded a third- and fourth-round pick in the 2010 draft to the Arizona Cardinals for Boldin and a fifth-round selection. After passing his physical, Boldin — who was slated to receive $3 million in 2010 — signed a new four-year, $28 million contract that includes a guaranteed $10 million.
"Arizona had been the only home I'd known professionally. I'd been there seven years and built a lot of relationships," Boldin said. "It's kind of hard to leave something like that. But in order for us to grow as human beings, change is necessary. And this is definitely a welcome change for me."
In his seven seasons with Arizona, Boldin had 586 catches for 7,520 yards and 44 touchdowns. He's the kind of player the Ravens sorely lacked: a physical, go-to wide receiver who can absorb a hit and dole one out.
Boldin is expected to enhance an inconsistent passing game that last year ranked 18th.
"This is something we've been hoping for," coach John Harbaugh said. "He fits us just perfectly. We're excited about what's in store."
The union of Baltimore and Boldin might have happened years earlier, but Newsome decided against drafting him out of Florida State because Boldin had an injury-riddled college career. Boldin also ran the 40-yard dash in an unimpressive 4.71 seconds at the scouting combine.
Arizona grabbed Boldin in the second round after Baltimore took defensive end/linebacker Terrell Suggs (10th overall) and quarterback Kyle Boller (19th) in the first round. Suggs became a star for the Ravens, while Boller was an occasional starter.
Since that draft, Newsome said he rarely passed up the chance to see Boldin in action, either on tape or on TV.
"I always enjoyed watching him — the way he approached the game and the way he played the game," Newsome said. "Now I have the opportunity to watch him play for us in Baltimore."
If Boldin had run a faster time in the 40 in 2003, his career with the Ravens might have gotten under way much sooner.
"In that situation, I got blinded a little bit and didn't appreciate the football player as much as I should have," Newsome acknowledged. "It took me seven years, but I finally got it right."
Boldin spoke excitedly about being on a team known for its physical brand of football.
"It's a place that fits me. The guys they have here are hard-nosed, guys that want to win," he said. "They don't worry about the glory or anything like that. Those guys just want to get the job done, and I think I fit in perfectly with that."
Boldin spent much of his time in Arizona as a complement to Larry Fitzgerald. He appears poised to be the Ravens' No. 1 threat, but insists he only wants to be part of a winning formula.
"I just feel like I add a piece to this offense," Boldin said. "I wanted to go somewhere where, one, I had an opportunity to win a championship. I feel like I have that here. Two, a place that plays defense, runs the ball well and has a great young quarterback. I think Baltimore fits that to a T."
Boldin will be catching passes from Joe Flacco, whose primarily target last year was running back Ray Rice. The Ravens' top priority this offseason was to bolster their wide receiving corps, and they appear to have done just that by adding Boldin and free agent Donte' Stallworth.
Boldin had 84 catches for 1,024 yards and four touchdowns last season with Arizona. He is also known as a solid blocker, which should also enhance Baltimore's running game.
Boldin will be moving from the NFL West to the AFC North, but he won't need a motivation speech to gear up for Baltimore's rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"I'm seeking a little revenge on Pittsburgh anyway," he said. "They beat us in the (2009) Super Bowl. So I'm definitely looking forward to that matchup."
-- David Ginsburg
Rhodes says he and Jets weren't meshing well
TEMPE, Ariz. — New Arizona Cardinals safety Kerry Rhodes said Monday that he had expected to be back with the New York Jets next season but that he and the team that eventually traded him weren't seeing "eye to eye" in the end.
"We just didn't mesh that well at the end of that journey," Rhodes said during his introductory news conference with the Cardinals. "So right now it's a chance for me to get a new start and have a new beginning here."
"I get to come here and help a team that's already good, just being able to come in and give my leadership and give my playmaking ability here, just try to help in any way I can," he added.
The Cardinals acquired Rhodes from the Jets on Saturday for a fourth-round pick in this year's draft and a seventh-rounder in 2011.
Rhodes is expected to move into the starting spot opposite All-Pro Adrian Wilson that was vacated when Antrel Rolle signed as a free agent with the New York Giants on Friday, the day after he was released by Arizona.
Rhodes had four years left on his contract with the Jets and was due a $2 million roster bonus. Expected to be one of the standouts on coach Rex Ryan's defense last year, Rhodes struggled and even lost his starting job.
"We were successful on defense last year in a lot of categories and Kerry was a big part of it," Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said Monday. "He played well here for a number of years. Typically, when a new coaching staff comes in, there are going to be bumps in the road. Obviously, there were some between Kerry and our defensive coaches."
Rhodes, a fourth-round pick out of Louisville in 2005, has 15 career interceptions.
Signings
Free agent OT Green signs 3-year deal with Bills
BUFFALO, N.Y. — An expensive steak dinner he couldn't finish and an offer he couldn't refuse were enough to convince veteran offensive tackle Cornell Green to sign with the Buffalo Bills.
A night after being wined and dined by the Bills, Green signed a three-year contract on Monday, the team's first addition three days into the NFL's free agency period.
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, Green said he's been told he'll be the team's new starting right tackle, taking over the position after Brad Butler retired last month. Green's a 10-year NFL veteran, who spent the past three seasons as the Oakland Raiders starting right tackle. Financial terms were not available.
"I'm glad to have an opportunity to play over here. There's a proud history of tradition here," said Green during a teleconference call shortly after signing his contract. "I had opportunities to visit a couple of more teams, but at the end of the day, man, Buffalo made me feel real comfortable."
Green then joked about the steak he couldn't finish during a fancy dinner he had with team officials at a Buffalo steakhouse shortly after he arrived in town on Sunday.
"I couldn't finish it. I tried, man," Green said. "They had so many appetizers and all the other stuff, at the end of the day, that steak was putting me over the top."
Green's signing doesn't put the Bills over the top. But it's considered a start for a team under a new regime — featuring rookie general manager Buddy Nix and new coach Chan Gailey — that addressed an immediate need on a unit that was both young and riddled with injuries last season.
"Obviously, we wanted to address the tackle position either in free agency or the draft or both," said Gailey, who takes over after Dick Jauron was fired in November. "It was great to find a quality player like Cornell Green in free agency that fit our team."
Green has 46 starts in 89 career games, and immediately becomes the Bills senior offensive lineman. He entered the NFL in 1999 as an undrafted rookie free agent with Atlanta. He eventually spent two seasons on the New York Jets roster, and played for Tampa Bay and Denver.
The Bills line is still unsettled. Starting right guard Eric Wood is recuperating after breaking his leg last season, while starting left tackle Demetrius Bell is recovering from a knee injury
In his conversations with Gailey, Green said the coach emphasized the importance of having a running attack.
"I love to run block," Green said. "We're just a couple of pieces away from being a playoff team. So hopefully, I can just come in and be a part of that puzzle."
Buffalo is coming off a 6-10 finish, and has gone 10 seasons without making the playoffs.
Green said he has put aside a run-in with the law he had a year ago, when he was arrested on a domestic violence charge in Florida. Tampa police said Green became violent during an argument with Teriyonal Ebony Flowers, the mother of his two children. He was accused of slamming Flowers into a wall and striking her arm with an aluminum mop handle.
The status of the case is unclear. Green said he is still dating Flowers and plans to bring her and his two children to live with him in Buffalo.
-- John Wawrow
AP Source: Eagles set to pay Vick roster bonus
PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick is getting one more big check from the Philadelphia Eagles. The one after that still could be from a new team.
A person with knowledge of the contract said the Eagles will pay Vick a $1.5 million roster bonus due Tuesday.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move hasn't been announced. Paying Vick the bonus doesn't preclude Philadelphia from trading the former Pro Bowl quarterback. Vick is under contract for $5.2 million this year.
The Eagles are buying themselves more time — and possibly a draft pick — by giving Vick the bonus. The alternative was to release him and not get anything in return.
It's uncertain what Vick is worth on the trade market. His situation could be comparable to Daunte Culpepper. The Miami Dolphins traded a second-round pick to Minnesota for Culpepper in 2006. Culpepper was coming off a major knee injury.
Vick wasn't injured, but he played sparingly last season after missing two years because he was imprisoned for his role in a dogfighting ring. He completed 6 of 13 passes for 86 yards and one touchdown and ran for 95 yards and two scores.
The Eagles already have Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb, and Vick has stated he'd prefer to go somewhere he can be a starter. Coach Andy Reid has repeatedly said he isn't opposed to keeping all three QBs.
-- Rob Maaddi
Steelers sign free agents Battle, Allen
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers bolstered their special teams, a weakness last season, by signing wide receiver Arnaz Battle and safety Will Allen.
Both unrestricted free agents joined the Steelers on Monday.
Battle spent seven seasons with San Francisco and played in 88 games as a receiver, kick returner and punt returner. He has 178 receptions for 2,150 yards and 11 touchdowns. The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Battle was drafted by the 49ers in the sixth round in 2003.
Allen has played all six of his NFL seasons with Tampa Bay after being drafted in the fourth round in 2004. Allen made two starts in 2009 before being placed on injured reserve after Week 9. He also is a strong special teams player.
Both players were signed largely for special teams, although Allen could start if safety Ryan Clark, who hasn't been heavily pursued by the Steelers, leaves as a free agent. Pittsburgh's special teams were among the league's worst in 2009, and Battle played for new Steelers assistant coach Al Everest in San Francisco.
Battle also gives Steelers depth at receiver, where Limas Sweed's status for next season is uncertain. Sweed was taken off the active roster late in 2009 for reasons the Steelers still haven't disclosed.
Chad Pennington re-signs with Dolphins
MIAMI — Chad Pennington will be back with the Miami Dolphins for at least one more season.
The quarterback signed a one-year deal with the team Monday. He's expected to back up Chad Henne, who replaced him when Pennington injured his right shoulder in the third game last season.
The 33-year-old Pennington is recovering from the third operation of his career on his throwing shoulder. Twice he has returned from injuries to win NFL Comeback Player of the Year, most recently in 2008, when he led the Dolphins to their first playoff berth in seven years.
During that first season in Miami, Pennington made an immediate impact by helping lead the Dolphins to the biggest single-season improvement in NFL history, 1-15 to 11-5 and the first AFC East championship for Miami since the 2000 season.
Pennington spent the first eight seasons of his NFL career with the New York Jets, who made him a first-round draft choice in 2000 (18th overall).
The Dolphins also have two other quarterbacks, Pat White and Tyler Thigpen, on the roster.
Chiefs re-sign wide receiver Chris Chambers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed unrestricted free agent wide receiver Chris Chambers, who provided spark to a lackluster offense when he joined the team midway through last season.
The Chiefs declined Monday to release details of the contract.
Chambers played in nine games for the Chiefs last year. He finished with 36 receptions for 608 yards and four touchdowns, including two in his first outing after being claimed off waivers from San Diego.
Arguably one the team's best acquisitions in 2009, he is a former Pro Bowl selection with the Miami Dolphins in 2005.
Chambers has 518 career receptions for 7,435 yards and 57 touchdowns. He was a second-round draft pick for the Dolphins in 2001, and played for the Chargers from 2007-2009 before joining the Chiefs.
Chiefs re-sign wide receiver Chris Chambers
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs have re-signed unrestricted free agent wide receiver Chris Chambers, who provided spark to a lackluster offense when he joined the team midway through last season.
The Chiefs declined Monday to release details of the contract.
Chambers played in nine games for the Chiefs last year. He finished with 36 receptions for 608 yards and four touchdowns, including two in his first outing after being claimed off waivers from San Diego.
Arguably one the team's best acquisitions in 2009, he was a Pro Bowl selection with the Miami Dolphins in 2005.
Chambers has 518 career receptions for 7,435 yards and 57 touchdowns. He was a second-round draft pick for the Dolphins in 2001, and played for the Chargers from 2007-2009 before joining the Chiefs.
Rams sign DT Fred Robbins
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams have made their second free-agent signing of the offseason, reaching a deal with veteran defensive tackle Fred Robbins.
Terms of the contract announced Monday were not disclosed.
Robbins is 32 and has played 10 seasons with 116 starts for the Vikings and Giants. He has 28.5 career sacks and was a Pro Bowl alternate in 2008. He was a key member of the 2007 New York team that won the Super Bowl. Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo was defensive coordinator for the Giants at the time.
Spagnuolo says Robbins will add leadership as well as depth to the defensive tackle position. He also adds size: Robbins is 6-4 and 325 pounds. Robbins was a second-round pick by Minnesota in the 2000 draft. He signed with New York in 2004.
Free agent DE Jason Babin visits Titans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Free agent Jason Babin is wrapping up a visit with the Tennessee Titans, who are looking to add depth on the defensive line. The Titans are looking for help after losing defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch to the Detroit Lions in the early hours of free agency on Friday.
Babin had 2½ sacks for the Philadelphia Eagles last season. He was a first-round draft pick out of Western Michigan by the Houston Texans in 2004 and also has played for the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs.
Trades
Seattle sends QB Wallace to Cleveland for pick
RENTON, Wash. — Mike Holmgren is already making deals with his former team.
The Seattle Seahawks traded backup quarterback Seneca Wallace to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a 2011 undisclosed draft pick. The Seahawks confirmed the deal Monday night.
Wallace spent his entire seven-year career with the Seahawks, and was always a favorite of Holmgren's when he was Seattle's coach. Now the Browns' team president, Holmgren has brought Wallace to Cleveland.
"This will give Seneca a chance for a fresh start," Seattle general manager John Schneider said in a statement. "The Browns front office's familiarity with his abilities will give him an opportunity to compete for playing time. We wish him nothing but the best."
Wallace's best season was 2008 when he started eight games in Holmgren's last season and threw for 1,532 yards and 11 touchdowns. Wallace started two games last season while starter Matt Hasselbeck was injured.
Wallace was drafted in the fourth round by Seattle in 2003. He played in 46 career games with the Seahawks, including 14 starts at quarterback, throwing for 25 career touchdowns with a passer rating of 83.2. He was also sometimes used as a wide receiver and returner in Seattle, catching four passes for 76 yards and rushing 54 times for 214 yards.
Bucs acquire WR Brown from Eagles for draft pick
TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have acquired wide receiver Reggie Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles for a sixth-round pick in the 2011 draft. The deal was announced by both teams Monday, the fourth day of free agency.
The 29-year-old Brown has 177 career receptions and 17 touchdowns. Brown was selected third in the second round of the 2005 draft after playing four years at the University of Georgia.
Lions acquire CB Houston from Falcons
DETROIT — The Detroit Lions have traded two late-round draft picks to acquire cornerback Chris Houston from the Atlanta Falcons.
Houston, a second-round pick for Atlanta in 2007, became expendable after the Falcons signed Dunta Robinson as an unrestricted free agent. The Falcons will receive an additional sixth-round pick from Detroit and move up from the 18th spot to second in the fifth round. Houston has three interceptions and one forced fumble in 44 career games, 37 starts.
Moves
Panthers continue veteran purge, release FB Hoover
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers added to their purge of veterans on Monday with the release of longtime fullback Brad Hoover, leaving Carolina with only three players on the roster older than 30.
Letting 33-year-old Hoover go saves the Panthers close to $1 million in payroll for the 2010 season and ends his 10-year stay in Carolina.
"I have no regrets. It's been a great 10 years in Carolina and I'm very thankful that they gave me that opportunity," Hoover said. "I look forward to the opportunities in front of me. I still want to play football."
The Panthers will likely turn to second-year pro Tony Fiammetta as his replacement as they rapidly get younger and thriftier.
Hoover's release comes in a one-week stretch where the Panthers let defensive end Julius Peppers leave in free agency, then cut quarterback Jake Delhomme, defensive tackles Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu, and linebackers Na'il Diggs and Landon Johnson.
The only players not in their 20s left on the team are kicker John Kasay (40), punter Jason Baker (31) and receiver Steve Smith (30). The moves also knock millions off the payroll in an uncapped year, but the Panthers have done little in free agency.
The Panthers' first signing came later Monday, when they inked receiver Wallace Wright, who was mostly a special teams player the past four seasons with the New York Jets.
While not at the level of Delhomme's teary farewell on Friday, Hoover was a fan favorite who rose from obscurity to one of the league's top blockers. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart continually credited Hoover last season when they became the first set of running backs since the 1970 merger to each rush for over 1,100 yards.
Signed as an undrafted rookie out of Western Carolina in 2000, the Thomasville, N.C., native was also a key special teams player. His 152 games played with Carolina rank behind only Kasay (204) and receiver Muhsin Muhammad (154).
"Brad has been here since I arrived in Carolina," coach John Fox said in a statement. "When things were difficult he was a leader and someone both players and coaches knew would always be accountable.
"On the field, he was the ultimate competitor and set a physical tone in both his style of play and attitude."
Hoover's agent, Tim Irwin, said he talked with one team and believes Hoover will find work.
"It's uncharted waters. I've never been cut before and have stayed with one organization," Hoover said. "But I think eventually I will be playing football again."
Wright grew up in Fayetteville, N.C., and started as a walk-on at North Carolina. He had just eight catches for 108 yards in his career with the Jets, but has 73 special teams tackles in 53 games.
-- Mike Cranston
Raiders release Walker, Ellis
ALAMEDA, Calif. — The Oakland Raiders released wide receiver Javon Walker and defensive end Greg Ellis on Monday in their latest dumping of veteran players.
The moves follow Saturday's decision to cut ties with longtime running back Justin Fargas.
Walker was a disappointment right from the start after signing a $55 million contract that included an $11 million signing bonus two years ago.
He caught 15 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown in two injury-plagued seasons in Oakland, while being paid $14 million.
The Raiders were hoping to have added a No. 1 receiver when they signed Walker. He had 89 catches for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004 for Green Bay and 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight scores in 2006 in Denver. He injured his knee in 2007 and never was the same player again.
He was criticized almost from the start in 2008 by former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin for being out of shape in offseason workouts and then was seriously injured in June during a robbery in Las Vegas.
He contemplated retirement in his first training camp before being talked out of it by Raiders owner Al Davis. Walker played eight games his first season in Oakland before being sidelined by a season-ending ankle injury.
He had knee surgery last offseason out of the country without telling the team and barely played in 2009. He appeared in only three games and caught no passes, fumbling on his only punt return chance.
Walker never cracked the lineup despite Oakland's struggles at receiver. The Raiders' corps of wide receivers combined for 95 catches and seven touchdowns.
Ellis signed a two-year contract with Oakland last June after being released by Dallas and provided a strong veteran presence on the line.
He was tied for the team lead with seven sacks last season but was hampered the second half by chronic knee problems. He was due $2.5 million next season.
-- Josh Dubow
Agent: G Ryan Lilja cut by Colts
INDIANAPOLIS — Colts guard Ryan Lilja has been cut by Indianapolis, his agent told The Associated Press.
Lilja started all 19 games, including the Super Bowl loss to New Orleans, last season for the Colts, but the team decided to release him Monday, agent Craig Domann said.
The 28-year-old Lilja received his $1.7 million roster bonus before being cut.
The Indianapolis Star first reported the move on its Web site.
Lilja signed with Kansas City as an undrafted free agent in 2004, and was later released and signed with the Colts. Indianapolis re-signed him in 2008 to a five-year deal that was worth about $19 million, but he missed that season with a knee injury.
Chargers claim RB Mason off waivers from Redskins
SAN DIEGO — The Chargers have claimed running back Marcus Mason off waivers from the Washington Redskins, beginning the process of restocking their backfield.
Mason spent most of his first two NFL seasons on the practice squads of the Redskins and Baltimore Ravens. He played in nine games last season for the Redskins, gaining 127 yards on 32 carries.
The Chargers recently released running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Michael Bennett.
Injuries
Sharper had minor knee surgery
NEW ORLEANS — Free agent safety Darren Sharper says he had minor arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, but is feeling good and planning to play somewhere next season.
Sharper attended a premier Monday night of an NFL Films championship video being released this week by Warner Home Video. He arrived using crutches, but described the procedure as a minor cleanup and assured that he's feeling "real good."
Sharper sat out two regular-season games last season and missed periodic practices because of knee swelling. Still, he tied for the league lead with nine interceptions, returning three for scores, to help the Saints win their first Super Bowl.
Sharper says he's hoping to return to New Orleans, but is keeping his options open.
