Buccaneers stockpile QBs
When Chris Simms said he welcomed competition for Tampa Bay’s starting quarterback job, he surely didn’t envision the Buccaneers getting two accomplished veterans to challenge for his job.
The Bucs signed free agent Jeff Garcia on Saturday, then announced they had also obtained the rights to Jake Plummer from Denver to give the team a three-way tussle for the reins to coach Jon Gruden’s offense.
Garcia agreed to a two-year deal he hopes will give him a chance to finally get to the Super Bowl.
Plummer said on The Jake Plummer Foundation’s Web site that he is retiring.
“Football has been awesome to me in many ways. I leave the game with my health and happiness, and look forward to the future,” he said on the Web site.
Hawks lose out on Dielman
Kris Dielman was at dinner with Matt Hasselbeck and some other Seattle players when he got a text message from his agent that a fat free-agent contract with the Seahawks was all but ready to be signed.
Something didn’t feel right, though. On top of that, fullback Lorenzo Neal kept calling, imploring Dielman to re-sign with the San Diego Chargers.
After a sleepless night, Dielman left about $10 million on the table in Seattle and signed a six-year deal with the Chargers worth $39 million, with $17 million guaranteed in the first two years. With that, one of the most sought-after offensive linemen was off the market.
Smoot returns to Redskins
Cornerback Fred Smoot agreed to a five-year contract with the Washington Redskins, returning to the team he left two years ago before two tumultuous seasons with Minnesota.
Smoot will sign his deal today, when he’ll also be formally introduced during a news conference at Redskins Park.
He’ll receive a signing bonus of at least $2 million.
Smoot, a second-round draft pick in 2001, joins linebacker London Fletcher as the first two signings of the free agent period for the Redskins, who are looking to improve a defense that ranked 31st in the league last year. Cornerback Travis Fisher also visited the team, as did offensive lineman Leonard Davis.
Browns sign Steinbach
Eric Steinbach shed his Bengals stripes for a chance to help turn around another awful NFL team.
The coveted free-agent offensive lineman, who spent his first four seasons as a pro blocking for Cincinnati, signed a seven-year, $49.5 million contract with the Cleveland Browns.
The deal guarantees the 26-year-old $17 million.
Johnson gets extension
The Houston Texans signed Pro Bowl receiver Andre Johnson to a multiyear contract extension.
Johnson had two years remaining on his current contract. Terms of the deal were not released, but he was scheduled to make $5.25 million next season and $7.75 million in 2008.
Johnson, the third overall pick in the 2003 draft, was selected to his second Pro Bowl after catching a career-high 103 passes for 1,147 yards last season.
The Texans lost one of their free agents when linebacker Antawn Peek signed a three-year deal with Cleveland.
Around the league
Adalius Thomas signed with New England, giving the Patriots one of this season’s top free agents and a versatile pass-rushing outside linebacker. Thomas led Baltimore with 11 sacks last season. The Patriots also signed 35-year-old tight end Kyle Brady, who played for Jacksonville the last eight seasons, and veteran backup running back Sammy Morris. … New Orleans re-signed right tackle Jon Stinchcomb. … Baltimore re-signed linebacker Jarret Johnson to a three-year, $13 million deal. … Arizona re-signed running back Marcel Shipp and safety Hanik Milligan to three-year deals. … Tennessee released running back Travis Henry, who led the team with 1,211 yards rushing last season. … Denver obtained veteran defensive tackle Dan Wilkinson from Miami for a sixth-round draft pick. … St. Louis signed wide receiver Drew Bennett, who led Tennessee last season with 46 catches for 737 yards. … Minnesota added linebacker Vinny Ciurciu, primarily a special teams player with Carolina, and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, a backup with the New York Giants. … Kansas City signed offensive linemen Damien McIntosh, who played for Miami last season.