Birden To Replace Rison

The Atlanta Falcons, in search of a deep threat at wide receiver to replace the departed Andre Rison, said they had agreed to terms with free agent J.J. Birden.

The Denver Broncos signed defensive backs Lionel Washington of the Los Angeles Raiders and Tim Hauck of the Green Bay Packers to free-agent contracts. Hauck is a native of Big Timber, Mont. Terms were not disclosed.

Two former Palouse athletes will be playing in the World League of American Football this season.

The New York Jets of the NFL signed former Washington State basketball player Lavar Ball as a tight end and former University of Idaho wide receiver Alan Allen and loaned them to the London Monarchs of the World League.

The San Diego Chargers extended their lease at Jack Murphy Stadium for another 25 years after city officials promised $60 million in improvements.

A group in Jackson, Miss., has put up $3 million in effort to buy the Las Vegas Posse of the Canadian Football League.

The money will go toward the purchase of the Posse pending approval from the club’s current owners and league govenors, who will gather later this week in Saskatoonm, Saskatchewan.