NFL Free Agency Capsules: Giants sign Houston Texans safety C.C. Brown

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The New York Giants padded their defense a little more on Wednesday, signing former Houston Texans safety C.C. Brown.

Contract terms were not immediately available.

Brown is the fourth defensive player signed since free agency opened last week, joining linebacker Michael Boley, defensive end Chris Canty and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard.

"C.C. is a young veteran safety," general manager Jerry Reese said. "He is a physical player who has played a lot of football in this league in his short career. We expect him to come in and create great competition at this position and strengthen it as well."

Brown played in only three games last season after breaking his right forearm. The 26-year-old started 47 of 50 games in his four seasons with the Texans, recording 275 tackles (202 solo), three interceptions, 16 passes defended, four forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and a sack.

Michael Johnson, James Butler and rookie Kenny Phillips got most of the playing time at safety last season. Butler became a free agent after last season.

"Brown is a physical player who will come down to the line of scrimmage," Coach Tom Coughlin said. "He has made the calls in the secondary and can get people lined up. With the situation that we have with James Butler, there is a need to go ahead and create the competitiveness that is necessary for everyone to reach their full potential. I think adding C.C. Brown is bringing us closer to that."

Brown, whose team won just 24 games in his four seasons in Houston, will get a chance to win more with the Giants, who won the NFC East last season.

"I'm happy to be with this team," he said. "It's a great opportunity for me to come here and get a chance to play in the playoffs. One of my main objectives was to get to a winning team and be part of a winning environment."

Brown was placed on injured reserve last season after fracturing his forearm against Jacksonville on Sept. 28.

"I think I fractured it first on Fred Taylor," Brown said of the former Jaguars running back now with New England. "Then about six plays later I broke it on Reggie Williams. Now it's back to normal. I'm ready to get out there, run around and hit people."

The Giants also signed Lee Vickers, a former college defensive end who moved to tight end in the NFL. He has played in eight NFL games with two starts, all in 2007 with Baltimore. The Ravens waived him in training camp.

"He converted to tight end and he has good hands," Coughlin said. "I think we can get some versatility out of him as a blocker and a short-range receiver, but also on special teams. He's pretty good in the wedge."

-- Tom Canavan

Texans match Broncos' offer for WR Anderson

HOUSTON - The Houston Texans will keep wide receiver David Anderson after matching a contract offer from the Denver Broncos.

The move Wednesday came five days after the Broncos signed Anderson to an offer sheet. Terms of the deal weren't released.

Anderson was in the mix behind Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter, the other starter. He had 19 catches for 241 yards and two touchdowns last season.

A seventh-round draft pick in 2006, Anderson has 399 yards and three touchdowns in his three-year career.

Warner, Arizona agree to 2-year, $23M deal

PHOENIX - Kurt Warner is staying with the Arizona Cardinals, agreeing to a two-year, $23 million contract and ready to play after a season in which he led his team to the Super Bowl.

"I'm excited about building on what we started last year, the last couple of years," the 37-year-old quarterback said at a news conference Wednesday. "I'm looking forward to getting back to football. I'm glad this is over with, but I'm extremely excited to be a Cardinal."

Warner made a highly publicized visit to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday but had made clear he wanted to remain in Arizona, where he was the catalyst of the team's improbable run to the title game. The Cardinals have an offense tailored to Warner's skills with two of the game's top wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

Warner agreed to a deal includes a $15 million signing bonus. The agreement came after he lowered his demands Tuesday. Initially, he had sought to be among the top five paid quarterbacks in the NFL, about $14.5 million a year. But on Tuesday, he told agent Mark Bartelstein to offer Arizona a two-year, $23 million deal. The Cardinals initially had offered two years and $20 million.

Warner has been with the Cardinals for four seasons but had to win the starting job from Matt Leinart in training camp a year ago. He went on to have a Pro Bowl season that rivaled his league MVP days with the St. Louis Rams.

He started all 20 games for Arizona last season. In 16 regular-season games, Warner completed 67 percent of his throws for 4,583 yards and 30 touchdowns, with 14 interceptions.

In four playoff games, he was even better, completing 68 percent of his passes for 1,147 yards and 11 touchdowns, with three interceptions.

But for one extremely costly interception, he was brilliant in Arizona's 27-23 loss to Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl, completing 31 of 43 passes for 377 yards and three touchdowns.

In addition, Warner was named the NFL man of the year for his off-the-field contributions to the community, as well as his playing excellence.

Cardinals general manager Rod Graves called Warner "an elite player, a class act, and truly a professional back with our football team."

"It has always been our priority to maintain the momentum that we created last year," Graves said. "Kurt Warner was important to us in maintaining that momentum. We understood that from the start."

Warner's return to the top was one of the best stories of last season, another chapter to his storybook career. His well-known tale includes stocking shelves in a supermarket, then working his way through the Arena Football League and NFL Europe to the Rams, where he was thrust into the starting job after an injury to Trent Green.

Warner led the Rams to two Super Bowls, winning one of them, in three years but lost his starting job Marc Bulger and left as a free agent for the New York Giants, where he was displaced by rookie Eli Manning. Then it was off to Arizona, where Warner was an off-and-on starter before taking over last year in Ken Whisenhunt's second season as coach.

-- Bob Baum

Ravens reach agreement with Ray Lewis, Matt Birk

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - The Baltimore Ravens brought back a famous Pro Bowl player and added another one, too.

Linebacker Ray Lewis will finish his career with the Ravens after reaching agreement on a three-year deal with Baltimore, which also agreed with center Matt Birk on Wednesday.

"From beginning to end as a Raven. ... Wow!" To be with the same team with the same fans for an entire career, that doesn't happen in the NFL," Lewis said after concluding negotiations on a deal worth nearly $22 million. "I don't think an athlete can have a greater legacy than to be able to stay in one place for an entire career."

By keeping Lewis, the Ravens fill the void created at inside linebacker when Bart Scott signed with the New York Jets.

"We got better today. Our football team got better. I am very happy," general manager Ozzie Newsome said. "This will allow Ray to finish his career as a Raven."

Birk, 32, replaces last year's starting center, Jason Brown, who signed a five-year, $37.5 million contract with the St. Louis Rams.

"To add a player like Matt, who will also give us outstanding leadership, makes us a better team," coach John Harbaugh said. "We're not standing pat. We're moving forward and getting better."

Lewis earned his 10th Pro Bowl this season after leading the NFL's second-ranked defense with 160 tackles. He also had 3½ sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

Lewis has been the dominant linebacker of his generation, an emotional leader in the locker room and a tackling machine on the field. Lewis, a first-round draft pick in 1996, was voted NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2000, the season the Ravens won the Super Bowl, and in 2003.

Although he has had some injury issues in recent years, Lewis comes off another strong season in which, at 33, he led the Ravens to an 11-5 record and two road playoff wins. They lost to the Steelers in the AFC title game.

The Ravens apparently saw more than enough from Lewis to commit to him, particularly after Scott and safety Jim Leonhard left a defense that ranked second in the league and allowed 244 points, third-fewest in the NFL.

Birk spent 11 seasons with the Vikings after being selected in the sixth round of the 1998 draft. He became a starter in 2000, when Birk made the Pro Bowl for the first of six times.

"The Minnesota Vikings thank Matt for all he did for the organization both on and off the field over the past 11 years," the Vikings said in a statement. "Matt has done a great job and we wanted him to return to the Vikings in '09, but at this point Matt wanted a change of scenery. We wish him the best and know that he will always be a part of the Vikings family. We look forward to playing Matt this upcoming season at the Metrodome."

Broncos sign free agent RB LaMont Jordan

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - New Broncos coach Josh McDaniels keeps adding former New England Patriots to his roster in Denver.

This time, Denver signed free agent running back LaMont Jordan on Wednesday to a two-year deal worth $2.5 million. The Broncos also signed tailback/kick returner J.J. Arrington from the Arizona Cardinals, bringing to three the number of running backs they've signed in free agency. They signed former Philadelphia backup Correll Buckhalter last week.

Jordan is a ninth-year back who spent last season in New England after stints with the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets, who drafted him in the second round in 2001 from the University of Maryland.

McDaniels, who replaced Mike Shanahan this year after serving as the Patriots' offensive coordinator, also has lured long-snapper Lonie Paxton and wide receiver Jabar Gaffney from New England to Denver.

He also had talks with the Patriots about quarterback Matt Cassel before he was traded to Kansas City

Last year, Jordan rushed 80 times for 363 yards and four TDs. He's rushed for 3,648 yards and 28 touchdowns in his career. He's also had 1,301 yards receiving with three TDs.

The Broncos signed Arrington to a four-year deal worth about $10 million with more than $2 million in guarantees. The sides had come close to a deal last week but haggled over guaranteed money before ironing out their differences Wednesday.

Arrington and Jordan are the second and third veteran tailbacks the Broncos' new regime have signed in free agency.

The Broncos had an astonishing seven tailbacks end up on injured reserve last season. Ryan Torain (knee) and fellow second-year pro Peyton Hillis (hamstring), a converted fullback, are expected to push Buckhalter for the starting job.

McDaniels looks like he'll adopt New England's philosophy of not having any running back carry too much of the load by himself, so a stable of versatile backs is important to his intricate offense.

Arrington had 187 yards rushing, 255 yards receiving and 923 yards on kickoff returns last season for the NFC champion Cardinals, and he made a handful of key plays in Arizona's 27-23 loss to Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl.

He's spent all four of his NFL seasons in Arizona, where he averaged a career-best 25.6 yards on kickoff returns last year.

"J.J. is looking to do a little more than he did in Arizona, to take it up a notch," his agent, J.R. Rickert said. "He's not a 20-carry-a-game back, but he's explosive and I think in this type of offense that they're putting together in Denver that he can excel both as a ball carrier and as a pass-catcher.

"When the outcome of the Super Bowl was hanging in the balance, J.J. was in the Cardinals' backfield the whole fourth quarter."

Lions sign free-agent DT Jackson, CB Buchanon

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - The Detroit Lions signed unrestricted free-agent defensive tackle Grady Jackson to a three-year contract and free-agent cornerback Phillip Buchanon to a two-year deal Wednesday.

The 6-foot-2, 345-pound Jackson played most of the past three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the sixth round (193rd overall) in 1997 and also has played for New Orleans, Green Bay and Jacksonville.

In 2008, Jackson started 15 games and had 23 tackles (21 solo) and two sacks for the Falcons. Jackson was on a list of players accused of using a diuretic, which can serve as a masking agent for steroids, but was not suspended.

Some players said the banned substance Bumetanide was not listed as an ingredient in StarCaps, an over-the-counter weight-loss pill. Jackson filed suit against StarCaps in Alameda County Superior Court in California in November, seeking restitution for any lost salary and damages for "false advertising and unfair business practices."

Jackson also was involved in an uncomfortable scenario with the Falcons in 2007, when then-coach Bobby Petrino cut him in midseason, alienating many of the other players. Jackson wound up with Jacksonville, and when Petrino resigned to take the head coaching job at Arkansas after 13 games, Jackson said: "It just shows his true color, like a coward with a yellow stripe down his back."

When Mike Smith was hired as coach of the Falcons, Jackson was re-signed.

Buchanon, 28, started all 16 games for Tampa Bay last season, intercepting two passes and returning one for a touchdown. The Lions had only one interception by a defensive back in 2008.

A first-round draft pick by the Raiders in 2002, when Oakland lost in the Super Bowl to Tampa Bay, Buchanon started 36 games for the Raiders. He struggled in coverage, though he had 11 interceptions, and was traded to Houston in April 2005 for two draft picks.

After two seasons with the Texans, Buchanon signed with the Bucs as a free agent in 2007.

Niners re-sign LB Spikes, add QB Huard  

SAN FRANCISCO - Linebacker Takeo Spikes re-signed on Wednesday with the San Francisco 49ers, who also signed veteran quarterback Damon Huard shortly after being spurned by Kurt Warner.

Spikes got a two-year deal reportedly worth $6 million to return to the 49ers, who signed him during the preseason last summer. The 11-year pro was a productive tackler and a valuable leader while playing alongside Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis, finishing second on the roster with 96 tackles and making three interceptions.

Spikes was vocal about his wishes to remain with the 49ers after their 7-9 season, saying he sensed a turnaround for a franchise with six consecutive losing campaigns. He also was a strong supporter of Mike Singletary, the Hall of Fame linebacker who had the interim tag dropped from his coaching title after the season.

"Everybody can see that we're right on the edge of something special," Spikes said recently. "I definitely want to be a part of it."

The 49ers courted Warner on Monday during a lengthy meet-and-greet session at their Santa Clara training complex, but the two-time MVP accepted a two-year, $23 million deal from the Arizona Cardinals earlier Wednesday.

Huard is a 12-year pro best known for his lengthy backup stints behind Miami's Dan Marino and New England's Tom Brady. He started 13 games over the past two seasons with Kansas City, but never firmly claimed the Chiefs' starting job during five seasons with the club.

Kansas City released Huard last month. The 35-year-old's signing guarantees the 49ers will have at least two quarterbacks in uniform when they begin their first full team workouts in two weeks.

Shaun Hill, who led San Francisco to five wins in its final seven games, will be back to compete again for the starting job. Singletary hasn't backed Hill as his starter for next season despite Hill's 7-3 record as a starter over the past two years, with the coach saying the 49ers needed to explore several additional options at the position - including Warner.

The 49ers apparently still are negotiating with former No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith, who must restructure his contract to reduce his $9 million base salary for next season before the club will allow him on the practice field. Smith, who has missed most of the past two seasons with arm injuries, has been out of town on his honeymoon, delaying the restructuring agreement.

General manager Scot McCloughan said last week that the chances of J.T. O'Sullivan's return were "50-50," but the journeyman quarterback who started the first eight games of last season likely is out of the 49ers' plans with Huard's signing.

Defensive lineman Demetric Evans visited the 49ers on Tuesday, but went back to Washington without signing a deal while he considers an offer to return to the Redskins.

The 49ers also have agreed to terms with kick returner Allen Rossum for another season, but haven't formally announced the deal yet.

-- Greg Beacham

Bengals reach deal with WR Coles

CINCINNATI - All the Cincinnati Bengals needed was one day to replace their top receiver.

The Bengals agreed to a four-year deal with former Jets receiver Laveranues Coles on Wednesday, a day after T.J. Houshmandzadeh left for Seattle as a free agent and suggested that Cincinnati wasn't sincere about trying to keep him around.

Coles got the opposite impression.

"The Bengals were very aggressive right from the start in talking to us," Coles said, in a statement released by the team. "And when a team makes you feel really wanted, that's a factor you're not going to ignore. They said, 'Let's get this worked out,' and we did."

The Jets let the 31-year-old receiver leave as a free agent last week, restructuring his contract to make it easier. Coles had another year left on his deal, but wanted a multiyear extension. As part of a compromise, he became an unrestricted free agent and the team didn't have to pay $6 million that was guaranteed him this season.

ESPN reported that the deal with Cincinnati was worth $28 million, another indication of how badly the Bengals wanted him. Coles also visited Buffalo last week.

"Clearly, Laveranues gives our passing game another proven weapon," coach Marvin Lewis said. "He's been durable and reliable, with high production in catches, yards, yards-per-catch and touchdowns. He's also a passionate player, a guy who will bring a very positive chemistry to our locker room."

In the past two days, the Bengals shored up two glaring needs. They re-signed running back Cedric Benson to a two-year deal on Tuesday, when Houshmandzadeh was being introduced in Seattle. The two of them were the only bright spots last season in an offense that finished last in the league.

The Bengals could have used their franchise tag on Houshmandzadeh, who said repeatedly last season that he was willing to stay if he got a long-term deal. By using the tag on kicker Shayne Graham, the Bengals opened the way for him to leave as an unrestricted free agent.

Houshmandzadeh visited Minnesota and Seattle, and also got a multiyear offer from the Bengals.

"If Cincinnati wanted, they could have had me," Houshmandzadeh said in Seattle. "They wanted me, but at their convenience."

His departure left Chad Ocho Cinco and Chris Henry as the two most experienced receivers. The Bengals quickly focused on Coles, who caught 70 passes for 850 yards last season and led the team with seven touchdown catches. He's replacing one of the NFL's most reliable receivers - Houshmandzadeh had 112 catches in 2007 and 92 last year, even though Carson Palmer was sidelined for most of the season by an injury to his passing elbow.

Palmer has recovered from the partially torn ligament and tendon in the elbow and is expected to be back to full strength. Coles' career high is 91 catches in a season.

"I'm coming off a pretty good year, but I know I can do better," he said. "Anytime you come into a situation with a quarterback like Carson Palmer, you're going to think you can bump up those numbers a little more."

He'll be teamed with Ocho Cinco, who has two years left on his contract and has unsuccessfully lobbied for a trade. Ocho Cinco threatened to sit out last season, then relented after he realized the Bengals were going to keep him.

Coles also threatened to sit out last season unless he got a long-term deal. The Jets had the final two years of his contract guaranteed in a good-faith move to satisfy the receiver, who was a team captain in 2007 and a fan favorite during his second stint with the Jets.

-- Joe Kay

Saints add Greer, re-sign Henderson

METAIRIE, La. - The New Orleans Saints added free-agent cornerback Jabari Greer and retained wide receiver Devery Henderson, signing both to four-year contracts Wednesday.

The 27-year-old Greer, 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds, spent the past five years with the Buffalo Bills, starting 23 games over the past two seasons.

"He has the skill set you are looking for in a corner," head Coach Sean Payton said. "He brings speed and cover ability to the position. He has come into this league and quickly has established a reputation for himself and we are very pleased with this addition to our team."

Greer, who also was a college track standout at Tennessee, has four career interceptions, including two last season that he returned for touchdowns. He missed the final six games last season because of a knee injury.

Henderson has been one of the New Orleans Saints leading deep threats since being drafted by New Orleans in 2004.

Henderson averaged over 23 yards per catch over the last three seasons. He says he talked to four other teams, but had no other offers.

Henderson has 18 receptions of 40 yards or more during his career. In 2008, he set a career-high with 793 yards on 32 catches, averaging nearly 25 yards per grab to lead the NFL. He also rushed for 33 yards on four carries.

"We believe Devery is just beginning to reach his potential," Payton said. "Every year since we arrived in 2006, he has added a new facet to his game. The big plays stand out because there have been so many, but he's also developed into a consistent receiver. He fits in well with our group at wide receiver and has been a big part of the success we've had on offense."

Henderson was the third 2008 Saints starter to re-sign with New Orleans since the start of free agency on Friday. Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and right tackle Jon Stinchcomb also are staying with the team.

AP Source: Jets, Feely agree on 1-year deal

NEW YORK - The New York Jets agreed to terms with kicker Jay Feely on a one-year deal Wednesday, a person familiar with the contract told The Associated Press.

Feely, who became the Jets' kicker last season when Mike Nugent was injured in the season opener at Miami, returned to New York with a fully guaranteed contract, said the person who requested anonymity because the team hadn't announced the deal.

The 32-year-old Feely went 24-of-28 on field-goal attempts, including 2-for-2 from 50 yards or longer, for New York last season, his eighth in the NFL. He has an 81.4 career field-goal percentage.

Feely and Nugent were both free agents, and the Jets offered Nugent a chance to re-sign with them before the signing period began last Friday. Instead, Nugent - a former second-round draft pick - chose free agency and signed with Tampa Bay earlier Wednesday.

Feely was one of the top free-agent kickers available and attracted interest from at least four teams. He kicked a winning 34-yard field goal in overtime on Nov. 13 at New England that helped New York take sole possession of first place in the AFC East. He was reliable down the stretch for the Jets, making his last 14 field-goal attempts.

He has also kicked for the Giants, Atlanta and Miami, where he went 21-for-23 on field-goal attempts and set a franchise record with a 91.3 field-goal percentage but was cut last August. He signed a one-year deal with Kansas City, but was cut a day later after losing a "kick off" between him, Connor Barth and Nick Novak.

The Jets signed him after Nugent injured his right thigh during a kickoff against the Dolphins. Nugent came back and kicked an extra point, but New York replaced him with Feely the next week. After Nugent was healed midway through the season, former coach Eric Mangini kept Feely and had both of them compete in practice - with Feely winning the chance to play each week.

By returning to the Jets, Feely will continue to work with special teams coordinator Mike Westhoff, one of a few coaches from Mangini's staff retained by Rex Ryan.

-- Dennis Waszak Jr.

K Mike Nugent signs with Bucs

TAMPA, Fla. - Kicker Mike Nugent signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday.

A second-round draft pick in 2005, Nugent spent the past four seasons with the New York Jets. He's converted 75 of 92 field-goal attempts (81 percent) during his career, but is coming off a year in which he missed the final 15 games after being injured in the season opener.

Nugent, 83-for-85 on extra points, strained his right thigh on a first-quarter kickoff at Miami and hasn't played since. He made two extra points, but missed the only field goal - a 32-yarder - he tried in that game.

Matt Bryant has been the Bucs' kicker for the past four seasons. While he was 32-for-38 on field goals in 2008, he was 5 of 11 on attempts of 40-plus yards.

Falcons officially re-sign Davis

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - The Atlanta Falcons have re-signed defensive end Chauncey Davis to a $14 million, four-year contract, stemming their losses in free agency, .

Davis's agent, Kevin Conner, confirmed the terms of the deal Wednesday, which includes about $8 million to be paid out over the first two years.

Davis was the first major unrestricted free agent to sign with the Falcons, who lost five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Keith Brooking to Dallas, cornerback Domonique Foxworth to Baltimore and linebacker Michael Boley to the New York Giants. Atlanta also cut ties with safety Lawyer Milloy.

Conner said his coach Mike Smith told Davis he'd have a chance to earn a starting job ahead of former first-round pick Jamaal Anderson.

Cornerback visits with Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans have visited with cornerback Justin Miller in their bid to add some defensive depth through free agency.

Miller met with the Titans on Wednesday. The 5-foot-10, 196-pound Miller is a four-year veteran who spent last season with Oakland, and he is a Kentucky native who played at Clemson.

The Titans re-signed defensive back Vincent Fuller on the opening day of free agency. But Tennessee lost key defensive back Eric King to Detroit in free agency, and cornerback/returner Chris Carr also is visiting with other teams.

Rams re-sign cornerback Bartell to 4-year deal

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Rams re-signed cornerback Ron Bartell to a four-year contract, addressing one of their free agent priorities on Wednesday.

Terms were not disclosed, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Bartell gets $13.6 million in guaranteed money, with the overall deal reaching $28 million if incentives are met.

Bartell started 14 games last season. He tied a career high with three interceptions last season and broke up 20 passes, the most by a Ram since Jerametrius Butler had 22 in 2004.

"Ron was a primary focus right from the beginning," new Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo said at a news conference. "We just think that he fits the mold that we're looking for in both the person and the player and I'm individually looking forward to having him around here."

Bartell said he was pleased to return to an organization that was "heading in the right direction" after a 2-14 season.

"We've struggled a lot in the past," he said. "But I have a really good feeling that things are about to turn around with the staff that we have and with the management that they've brought in and some of the guys that we're bringing in."

Bartell spent his entire four-year career with the Rams since being selected in the second round (50th overall) in the 2005 draft. Bartell has started 36 games and played in 58, with 185 tackles, eight interceptions, 41 passes broken up and six forced turnovers in his career.

He was approached by other teams and visited New Orleans before deciding to re-sign with St. Louis.

The Rams, 5-27 over the past two seasons, targeted Bartell, Baltimore center Jason Brown and Giants safety James Butler for free agent acquisitions.

They struck a deal with Brown last week, when they also had Butler in for a visit. Talks with him are ongoing. Butler played under Spagnuolo in New York, where Spagnuolo was defensive coordinator.

St. Louis figures to make other changes before the April draft, when it has the No. 2 overall selection. The Rams are still deciding whether to keep, trade or release tackle Orlando Pace and wide receiver Torry Holt.

The Rams are also shopping for help on the defensive and offensive lines, at fullback, running back and wide receiver.

-- Jim Salter

Eagles consider signing CB Shawn Springs

PHILADELPHIA - Looking to bolster a depleted secondary, the Philadelphia Eagles met with veteran cornerback Shawn Springs on Wednesday.

Springs, who turns 34 next week, was released by Washington in a salary-cap purge. He spent the last five seasons with the Redskins after playing his first seven with Seattle.

The Eagles traded two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard to the New York Jets and lost seven-time Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins (Denver) and backup safety Sean Considine (Jacksonville) in free agency.

Springs said the Eagles would move him to safety. He'd probably compete with second-year pro Quintin Demps for a starting spot opposite Quintin Mikell. Asante Samuel and Sheldon Brown are the starting cornerbacks and Joselio Hanson is the nickel back.

"When I played for Washington, I was all over the field," Springs said. "I wasn't a full-time safety, but we had a lot of packages where I was like a safety."

Springs already visited New England and indicated he had another trip planned. He's familiar with Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, who was a linebackers coach with Seattle when Springs was drafted by the Seahawks with the No. 3 overall pick in 1997.

"I always liked his system," Springs said.

Springs missed seven games with a calf injury last season and finished with 36 tackles and one interception. He's played a full season just four times in his career.

Springs, who earned a trip to the Pro Bowl in 1998, has 32 career interceptions and 8½ sacks. He recorded six of those sacks in 2004 with the Redskins. Springs also had five picks that season and became the first defensive back to lead his team in interceptions and sacks.

The Eagles reached the NFC championship game for the fifth time in eight years, losing at Arizona 32-25. They signed offensive lineman Stacy Andrews to a six-year deal last Saturday, upgrading a unit that could lose longtime bookend tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas. Both players are free agents and only Thomas figures to get an offer to stay.

The front office has taken quite a hit publicly for not re-signing Dawkins. He spent 13 seasons with the Eagles and was one of the most beloved athletes to ever play in Philadelphia.

Dawkins clearly was upset by negotiations with the Eagles and agonized over his decision to leave.

"For that organization, this was a business deal and it was not business for me," Dawkins said in a radio interview on 950 ESPN. "People think I wanted to get to free agency. I did not want to get to free agency. I've never gone to free agency. I've had times in the past where I could have collected big bucks on the open market, but I did not want to get there. So why would I want to get there all of a sudden now on my last contract? No, I wanted to be an Eagle."

Dawkins was the NFC's defensive player of the month in December and went to the Pro Bowl, but he said his age was the determining factor for the Eagles.

"At the end of the day you're a 36-year-old safety," he said.

-- Rob Maaddi