Kearse signs with Titans
Published 10:32 pm Thursday, March 6, 2008
TITANS: Tennessee agreed to terms on a multiyear contract with Jevon Kearse on Thursday, and coach Jeff Fisher said they plan to play the 31-year-old defensive end as much as possible.
The Titans had a hole at defensive end after losing free agents Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy. On Thursday, they found at least one big replacement by bringing back Kearse to the team where he started his NFL career.
“Not only is this an opportunity to finish where he started, but he also has a lot left. This is not just a nostalgic thing to bring back the old days. He’s here to fill a spot and to help us win football games and knock the passer down. We were very excited with the results of the physical and very excited to get things put together as quickly as we did,” Fisher said.
Kearse was the Defensive Rookie of the Year after Tennessee made him the 16th overall pick in the 1999 draft. The Titans reached the Super Bowl that season.
He had 47 1/2 sacks with the Titans and made three Pro Bowl teams, but left in 2004 for a free-agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles during Tennessee’s salary cap struggles. He was benched by the Eagles toward the end of the 2007 season and released as a salary cap cut last week.
PATRIOTS: New England signed cornerback Lewis Sanders and safety Tank Williams. Since losing cornerbacks Asante Samuel and Randall Gay to free agency, the Patriots have added three defensive backs.
BRONCOS: Denver signed free agent linebacker Boss Bailey, the younger brother of perennial Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey. Boss Bailey spent his first five seasons in Detroit, after being selected in the second round of the 2003 draft. The 28-year-old linebacker has appeared in 58 games, including 51 starts, and has made 258 tackles, seven sacks and two interceptions. Last season, he had a career-best 31/2 sacks and 47 tackles in 15 games.
JETS: Tony Richardson, the fullback who spent most of his career opening holes for Priest Holmes in Kansas City, signed with the New York. Richardson, a 13-year veteran, played with Minnesota last season and made the Pro Bowl for the third time. He also made it with the Chiefs in 2003 and 2004.
EAGLES: Philadelphia released two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Takeo Spikes. The 10-year veteran played one season in Philadelphia and finished second on the team with 139 tackles. Spikes missed the final two games last season after having shoulder surgery.
RAMS: St. Louis re-signed guard Adam Goldberg and agreed to terms with tight end Anthony Becht. Goldberg played in the first four games last season before being place on injured reserve because of a knee injury. Becht, a nine-year veteran, played 48 games for Tampa Bay the last three seasons.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville re-signed free agent offensive lineman Maurice Williams, three days after releasing six-year starter Chris Naeole. Williams likely will compete with backup Dennis Norman and second-year player Uche Nwaneri for a starting guard spot.
RAVENS: Baltimore agreed to terms with Brendon Ayanbadejo, a special teams star who played for the Chicago Bears. Ayanbadejo agreed to a four-year contract worth $4.9 million, including a $1.9 million signing bonus.
Associated Press
