News briefs: QB Green agrees on deal to return with Rams
ST. LOUIS -- Trent Green, who ended last season on injured reserve after his second concussion in 13 months, agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the St. Louis Rams on Monday.
In his second stint with the Rams, Green will be the backup behind Marc Bulger. He was supposed to be the starter in 1999 before a preseason knee surgery paved the way for Kurt Warner, who led the Rams to their first Super Bowl victory.
Green visited Rams Park last week and had been mulling a decision whether to keep playing. He replaces Gus Frerotte as Bulger's backup.
"We have now solidified our quarterback position," coach Scott Linehan said. "You will be hard-pressed to find the quality we have at that position."
Both Green and Bulger have played in two Pro Bowls.
Green was released by the Dolphins last month.
He played for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2001-06, starting every game the first five seasons and the first game of 2006 for a franchise-record 81-game streak. Full story
Bengals, LB Blackstock agree on deal
CINCINNATI -- The Bengals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with unrestricted free agent linebacker Darryl Blackstock, his agent said.
Agent Brad Blank would not discuss terms of the deal, but said the 24-year-old Blackstock planned to sign Tuesday.
The 6-foot-4, 244-pound Blackstock has 44 career tackles and four sacks in 46 games with the Arizona Cardinals, who chose him in the third round of the 2005 draft. He had 21 tackles and three sacks last season.
The player had a difficult time choosing between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati, but the Bengals made him feel more wanted, with coach Marvin Lewis calling him personally, Blank said. Blackstock visited Cleveland on Wednesday and Cincinnati the next day.
Browns add guard Hadnot
CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns added depth up front by signing free-agent offensive lineman Rex Hadnot to a two-year contract.
The 26-year-old Hadnot was originally drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round of the 2004 draft. Hadnot made 55 starts the past four years with the Dolphins.
"The Browns are fortunate to add another quality lineman to our existing group," Browns general manager Phil Savage said. "With his versatility and experience, we feel great about having Rex on our team. He brings size, strength and has a physical style of play."
Bucs sign TE Troupe, WR Bryant
TAMPA, Fla. -- Tight end Ben Troupe and wide receiver Antonio Bryant signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Troupe played for the Tennessee Titans the past four seasons, starting 29 times. He had 106 receptions for 1,056 yards and seven touchdowns. He was a second-round draft pick by the Titans in 2004.
Bryant was a second-round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2002 then moved to the Cleveland Browns in 2004 and San Francisco 49ers in 2006. He has 250 receptions for 3,837 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Texans re-sign TE Bruener, S Earl
HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans re-signed free agents tight end Mark Bruener and safety Glenn Earl.
Bruener, a 13-year veteran, appeared in 14 games with one start for Houston last season. The blocking tight end joined the Texans in 2004 after playing for Pittsburgh his first nine seasons.
Earl missed last season after fracturing his foot in the exhibition opener. A fourth-round pick in 2004, Earl has appeared in 37 games with 31 starts for Houston. He started 15 games at strong safety in 2006 and had 70 tackles, two sacks and an interception.
Bills sign TE Anderson to two-year deal
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Buffalo Bills signed free-agent tight end Courtney Anderson to a two-year deal.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound Anderson, who met with the team last week, has started 28 of 43 NFL games in the previous four seasons. He has 62 catches 763 yards and six touchdowns. He played in four games last season without a reception for Detroit and Atlanta.
Anderson will be competing with holdover starter Robert Royal as the Bills reintroduce the tight-end position this season under new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert.
Lions, DB Kelly agree on deal
ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions and defensive back Brian Kelly agreed on a three-year deal, and the team re-signed offensive tackle George Foster to a one-year contract.
Kelly earned experience playing Detroit's version of the "Tampa Two" defense after getting drafted in 1998 by the Buccaneers. Kelly, who helped the Buccaneers win the Super Bowl, started four games last year and played in only two the previous season.
Foster lost his job as a starting tackle last year in Detroit after starting nine games the previous year.
