VIKINGS: Free-agent wide receiver Bernard Berrian left the Chicago Bears for Minnesota on Saturday, agreeing to a six-year, $42 million contract that includes $16 million in guaranteed money. He had a career-high 71 catches for 951 yards and five touchdowns for Chicago in his fourth season in the NFL. Minnesota also signed free agent fullback Thomas Tapeh, who played in college at Minnesota.
BEARS: Free-agent linebacker Lance Briggs re-signed with Chicago, agreeing to a six-year deal. The Bears didn’t disclose financial terms of the deal, but the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune both reported Saturday that Briggs would receive $36 million.
49ERS: San Francisco signed free-agent defensive end Justin Smith. Smith, the No. 4 overall pick by Cincinnati in 2001, had 43½ sacks in seven seasons with the Bengals and was one of the top pass rushers available on the free agent market this season. His deal is reportedly for six years and is worth $45 million, including $20 million in guarantees.
JETS: New York and Pro Bowl left guard Alan Faneca have agreed to terms on a five-year, $40 million contract, making the former Pittsburgh player the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. Agent Rick Smith said the deal includes $21 million in guarantees.
BROWNS: Cleveland agreed with free-agent wide receiver Donte’ Stallworth on a seven-year contract. Last season with New England, Stallworth had 46 receptions for 697 yards and three touchdowns.
BILLS: Buffalo acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud in a trade with Jacksonville. In exchange, the Bills gave up an undisclosed number of draft picks. FoxSports.com is reporting they will be a third- and fifth-round selection in this year’s draft for Stroud. The Bills also signed former Minnesota defensive tackle Spencer Johnson to a five-year contract.
SAINTS: New Orleans re-signed wide receiver Devery Henderson and terminated linebacker Brian Simmons’ contract.
TEXANS: Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jacques Reeves signed with Houston. Reeves, an unrestricted free agent, spent his first four seasons with the Cowboys where he became a starter last season. He had 60 tackles and an interception in 13 starts last season for Dallas.
EAGLES: Free-agent defensive end Chris Clemons signed a five-year contract with Philadelphia, a day after the Eagles added All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel. Clemons had eight sacks in a reserve role with Oakland last season.
BRONCOS: Pro Bowl safety John Lynch took a pay cut to remain with Denver for a fifth season, passing on a chance to retire or test free agency. Lynch was scheduled to make $2 million in 2008 and hesitated about returning to the team after he was asked to take a salary cut, the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News reported. Lynch, 37, was due a $1.12 million roster bonus March 4. He reached a one-year deal after meeting with owner Pat Bowlen and coach Mike Shanahan.
JAGUARS: Jacksonville signed free agent cornerback Drayton Florence, giving them a proven starter to bolster the secondary. Florence spent the last five seasons with San Diego, where he played 74 games and started 43 of them. Last season, Florence finished with a career-high 66 tackles, and two interceptions, 10 passes defended and one fumble recovery.
DOLPHINS: Miami signed linebacker Reggie Torbor and three others on the second day of free agency. Torbor comes to the Dolphins from the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, where he filled in when Matthias Kiwanuka was injured. Miami also signed linebacker Charlie Anderson to a three-year deal and defensive tackle Randy Starks and guard Justin Smiley both signed five-year contracts with the Dolphins.
LIONS: Detroit traded defensive tackle Shaun Rogers to Cleveland for cornerback Leigh Bodden and a third-round pick in the April draft. The deal was announced one day after a trade with Cincinnati fell through that would have shipped the talented but inconsistent Rogers to the Bengals in exchange for third- and fifth-round picks. The 6-foot-4, 340-pound Rogers, a two-time Pro Bowl player, has 29 sacks and 253 tackles in his career. Bodden spent his first five seasons with the Browns. He has 208 career tackles, 12 interceptions, and three fumble recoveries.
FALCONS: Atlanta signed free-agent defensive backs Erik Coleman and Von Hutchins. Coleman, a safety, has seven interceptions and 338 tackles in four years with the New York Jets. Hutchins, who has played cornerback and safety, spent his first two seasons with Indianapolis before joining Houston in 2006.
PANTHERS: Carolina agreed to terms with free-agent cornerback and kick returner Ricardo Colclough on a two-year, $4 million deal. Colclough has played in just six games the past two seasons.
Associated Press
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