EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Quarterback Kelly Holcomb was released Wednesday by the Minnesota Vikings, clearing room on the roster for another veteran to push starter Tarvaris Jackson.
Holcomb was 0-3 as a starter last season while Jackson was hurt. In his 11th year in the NFL, Holcomb completed only 50.6 percent of his passes (42-for-83) for 515 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
After spot duty for Indianapolis, Cleveland and Buffalo, Holcomb was traded to Philadelphia last March and then dealt to Minnesota during the last week of training camp when the Vikings were concerned about their depth at the position.
Jackson showed clear improvement down the stretch, but his erratic performances were a big reason why Minnesota missed the playoffs at 8-8. Coach Brad Childress has maintained that Jackson is still the starter, but has also left open the possibility of competition for the job.
Holcomb's departure means the Vikings will surely pursue another option through free agency or a trade, when the market opens early Friday.
Thomas among four Bills released
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Veteran running back Anthony Thomas was one of three Buffalo players to have their contracts terminated by the team.
A seven-year NFL veteran and the league's rookie of the year in 2001, Thomas' numbers dwindled this season. Used mostly as a backup behind rookie first-round draft pick Marshawn Lynch, Thomas finished with career-lows in carries (36) and yards rushing (89).
The move did not come as a surprise, because the Bills are stocked at running back. Fred Jackson had a strong finish after Thomas was hurt, while the Bills also selected Dwayne Wright in the fourth round of last year's draft.
Linebacker Coy Wire and cornerback Jerametrius Butler also had their contracts terminated. The Bills also waived offensive guard Aaron Merz, a 2006 second-round draft pick, who missed the entire season because of a shoulder injury.
Lions sign safety Smith
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Detroit signed free agent safety Dwight Smith to a two-year contract.
The 5-foot-10, 201-pound Smith played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2001-2004, setting a Super Bowl record in 2002 by returning two interceptions for touchdowns. He played for the New Orleans Saints in 2005 and spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
In 106 games (75 starts), Smith has 22 interceptions and 464 tackles. He had four interceptions each of the past two seasons.
Smith attended Central High School in Detroit and was drafted 82nd overall out of Akron in the third round of the 2001 draft.
Saints, Nesbit agree to deal
NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans and guard Jamar Nesbit agreed to a three-year contract, keeping the starter off the free-agent market. The 328-pound Nesbit has started for the Saints the last two seasons and helped solidify an offensive line that has been among the NFL's best at preventing sacks.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Nesbit joins reserve center Jonathan Goodwin, wide receiver Terrance Copper and kicker Martin Gramatica as players who have re-signed with New Orleans before free agency begins on Friday. Goodwin and Copper also agreed to deals Wednesday. Gramatica signed earlier this month.
Goodwin joined the Saints in 2006 as an unrestricted free agent. His new contract is for three seasons. Copper, a five-year veteran, agreed to a two-year deal.
Niners' Sopoaga to get five-year contract
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga re-signed with San Francisco, agreeing to a five-year deal to remain at the center of the club's 3-4 defense.
Sopoaga, a fourth-round draft pick from Hawaii in 2004, had a breakthrough season in 2007. When the 49ers converted to a full-time 3-4 scheme, Sopoaga made a career-high 58 tackles and 1½ sacks while starting five games and sharing playing time with Aubrayo Franklin.
Sopoaga, a native of American Samoa who missed his entire rookie season with injuries, would have been an unrestricted free agent Thursday.
Chargers' Mruczkowski signs three-year deal
SAN DIEGO -- Offensive lineman Scott Mruczkowski signed a three-year contract to remain with San Diego.
Mruczkowski, who could've become a restricted free agent, was a seventh-round draft pick in 2005. He's played in 29 games, including all 16 in 2007. He's made one start, at left guard.
"After being around guys like Nick Hardwick, Mike Goff, Kris Dielman, Marcus McNeill and the rest of my teammates, I didn't want to go anywhere else to play," Mruczkowski said in a statement. "We've got a great group of guys here and a great team. For me, it didn't make any sense to go somewhere else."
