Reich’s Stuff Added To Carolina Panthers; Qb Signs One-Year Deal

Frank Reich, a backup to Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly for more than a decade, finally got his chance to be a starter Monday by signing with the Carolina Panthers.

“A big factor in my coming here was the opportunity to play,” Reich, an unrestricted free agent, said after signing a one-year deal with the NFL expansion team. “I come here to be a starter. In Buffalo, there was no question, I was the backup.”

Reich, 34, is the 13th unrestricted free agent signed by the Panthers. His one-season contract is for $1.25 million.

Derrick Fenner, a fullback who spent the last three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, has signed with the Los Angeles Raiders as an unrestricted free agent.

“We’re really excited about Derrick,” Raiders coach Mike White said of the one-time Seahawks back. “He’s an experienced, big fullback-type who can run and block for both runs and passes. He runs excellent pass routes and has very good hands.”

Pro Bowl cornerback Eric Allen is now a New Orleans Saint.

The Philadelphia Eagles informed the Saints they would not match New Orleans’ offer to Allen. The offer reportedly is worth more than $14 million.

The Washington Redskins re-signed running back and kick return specialist Brian Mitchell to a new three-year contract. Mitchell agreed to a deal worth $4.2 million, which includes a $1.5 million signing bonus.

Former University of Idaho guard Mark Schlereth, who has undergone nine knee operations, signed a free-agent contract with the Denver Broncos.

Schlereth, who has played for the Washington Redskins since they drafted him in 1989, will earn a reported $2.4 million over three years. His deal includes a $600,000 signing bonus.

Running back Eric Bieniemy, who spent four seasons with the San Diego Chargers, has agreed to a two-year, $1 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.