Associated Press
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons began remaking their offensive line Wednesday, signing right tackle Todd Weiner to a five-year, $17.5 million contract.
Weiner, who spent the last four years in Seattle, takes over for Ephraim Salaam, a starter since the Falcons drafted him in 1998. Salaam is now a free agent the Falcons won’t attempt to sign.
Atlanta also signed Keion Carpenter, a free safety from Buffalo who played one season under former Bills coach Wade Phillips, the Falcons’ new defensive coordinator.
Carpenter’s one-year deal is worth $450,000. He replaces Ronnie Bradford, who was cut last week.
The Falcons believe Weiner, who received a $5.5 million signing bonus, will help protect quarterback Michael Vick. Atlanta allowed 66 sacks last season, tied with Detroit for worst in the league.
A second-round draft pick out of Kansas State in 1998, Weiner was a backup right guard for the Seahawks that year and won the right tackle job in training camp the following season.
“We felt like he could come in here and make us more complete,” Falcons coach Dan Reeves said. “These are the prime years of his career. He’s got the experience and skills we were looking for.”
Charger signs with rival: Tackle John Parrella, a key run-stuffer for the San Diego Chargers the last 5 1/2 seasons, agreed Wednesday to a $24 million, six-year contract with the division rival Oakland Raiders, according to a source familiar with the negotiations. The loss of Parrella is a big blow to a defense that’s been ranked in the top 10 against the run the last four seasons. Parrella started 89 straight games dating to the eighth game of the 1996 season.
Glenn close to deal with Packers? James Gould, agent for Terry Glenn, says he could have a trade worked out that would send the New England receiver to the Green Bay Packers as early as today. Published reports in Green Bay and Boston said Wednesday that, in exchange for Glenn, the Packers would give New England a fourth-round draft pick this season plus a conditional draft pick next year – from a high pick to a late-rounder, based on Glenn’s performance.
As part of the deal, Glenn would drop his many grievances against the team and a lawsuit against the league and tear up his old contract. Green Bay would sign him to a new deal with a relatively low base salary and performance incentives, the Boston newspapers said. Glenn has reportedly come down from his request for a $7 million signing bonus and is now seeking around $3 million.
The NFL suspended Glenn for the first four games of last season for missing a drug test in violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy. He later was inactive for six games because of a hamstring injury and a contract dispute, and he was suspended by the team for the Dec. 2 game against the New York Jets after he refused to practice.
When he missed more team meetings and practices, coach Bill Belichick suspended Glenn for the playoffs, and New England won the Super Bowl without him. Cowart to sign with Jets: Linebacker Sam Cowart agreed Wednesday to a six-year contract to join the New York Jets from Buffalo after missing almost all of last season with a torn Achilles’ tendon.
Fletcher agrees to sign with Bills: Former St. Louis Rams linebacker London Fletcher agreed to sign with the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday. The deal is pending a physical examination on Thursday, Bills spokesman Scott Berchtold said. A three-year starter, Fletcher led the NFC champion Rams with 90 tackles last season.
Former Jets guard signs with Buccaneers: Tampa Bay plugged a hole on its offensive line Wednesday when free agent Kerry Jenkins finalized a five-year, $10 million deal that includes a $2.6 million signing bonus. Jenkins spent the last five seasons with the New York Jets, starting every game the past three seasons.
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