Browns sign TE Miller to bolster depth chart
Cleveland Browns: Down to only two tight ends on the roster, the Browns have bolstered the position by signing veteran Billy Miller, released by the Houston Texans last week, to a one-year contract. Financial details of the contract were not yet available.
A six-year veteran, Miller became expendable in Houston when the Texans coaches decided that the tight end would no longer play a significant role in the passing game. In 2004, with the Texans deploying in more three-wideout alignments, Miller had only 17 receptions, his worst production in three seasons with the team.
Miller, 28, led the Texans in receptions in their 2002 inaugural season, with 51 grabs for 613 yards and three touchdowns. He had 40 catches and scored three times again in 2003 before his role was dramatically reduced in '04. Miller worked out on Saturday for the Browns' coaches and, with only Steve Heiden and Aaron Shea on the tight end depth chart, the team decided to sign him.
The former Southern California star actually entered the NFL as a wide receiver, when he was chosen by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 1999 draft. He bulked up, though, and moved to tight end in his second season in the league.
For his career, Miller has 114 catches for 1,212 yards and seven touchdowns. He has played in 70 games and started in 21 of them.
-- ESPN.com senior NFL writer Len Pasquarelli
Minnesota Vikings: Continuing their special teams shakeup, the Vikings on Sunday released punter Darren Bennett, a 10-year veteran once regarded as having the strongest leg in the NFL. To replace Bennett, the Vikings claimed rookie Chris Kluwe of UCLA, released by the Seattle Seahawks this weekend, on waivers.
The move likely means the Vikings will open the season with a new punter and kicker. Former Chicago Bears kicker Paul Edinger won the battle for the placement job over Aaron Elling, after the latter was injured during the preseason. Vikings coach Mike Tice said, however, that he will continue to audition punters and even left open the possibility that Bennett could return to the team at some point.
Bennett, 40, played the first nine season of his career with San Diego, before signing with the Vikings last season. He averaged 39.3 yards gross and 35.3 yards net in 2004, but he struggled over the last two weeks of this preseason. For his career, the Australian native has a 43.5-yard gross average and a net average of 36.8 yards. He has never had a punt blocked in a regular-season contest.
-- ESPN.com senior NFL writer Len Pasquarelli
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles filled their need
for a big running back, claiming Lamar Gordon off waivers from the
Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Second-year pro Bruce Perry was released to make room for Gordon.
"Lamar is a big back with good speed and quickness," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "He also has the ability to catch the ball, which will help him in this offense. He's a talented, young running back who should be a good complement to the rest of the backs on this team. We're looking forward to getting him into Philadelphia and onto the practice field this week."
The 6-foot-1, 223-pound Gordon has 171 carries for 590 yards and two touchdowns and 51 receptions for 411 yards and two scores in three seasons.
A third-round pick by St. Louis in 2002, Gordon spent two years with the Rams and was traded to Miami two days before the season opener last year. He is scheduled to practice with the team Monday.
The Eagles have been looking for a back with size since Correll Buckhalter went down with a season-ending knee injury for the third time in four years. Pro Bowl running back Brian Westbrook, rookie Ryan Moats and third-year pro Reno Mahe each are listed at 5-10 or shorter and under 212 pounds.
Gordon played in three games for the Dolphins last year before being sidelined for the remainder of the season with a dislocated shoulder.
Perry, a seventh-round pick from Maryland in 2004, sat out last year with a shoulder injury. He had an impressive preseason, and could end up on Philadelphia's practice squad.
New York Jets: The Jets acquired offensive
lineman Steve Morley from the Packers on Sunday for an
undisclosed draft choice.
The Jets also cut first-year guard Jason Nerys, and claimed wide receiver Dante Ridgeway off waivers from the Cincinnati Bengals and cornerback Lamont Reid off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals.
Morley, a guard/tackle, spent the 2004 season with the Packers, appearing in one game during the regular season. The 6-foot-7, 330-pound Morley should provide depth on the line, after backup tackle Marko Cavka broke his wrist in the preseason finale.
Ridgeway broke the Mid-American Conference single-season record for catches with 105 in 2004. He became the first player in school history to leave Ball State early for the NFL. He was selected in the sixth round of the draft by the St. Louis Rams and waived when the team cut down to 65 players.
Reid, who played at N.C. State, signed with the Cardinals as a rookie free agent following the draft.
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys brought back
seven recently released players to be on their practice squad and
added a kicker to keep up the pressure on new starter Jose Cortez.
What they didn't do was announce the addition of receiver Peerless Price, whose agent said he picked Dallas on Saturday. The move likely is awaiting his signature, which probably will happen in time for practice Monday. Veteran receiver Quincy Morgan is expected to be released to open a spot on the 53-man roster.
The returnees include receiver Tom Crowder, tight end Tony Curtis, running back Keylon Kincade, tight end Sean Ryan and offensive lineman Matt Tarullo, all of whom were part of the final preseason cuts Saturday. Previously released defensive tackle Chris Van Hoy and receiver Jamaica Rector also were signed.
The new kicking candidate is Shaun Suisham, a rookie out of Bowling Green who was among four players given a workout Friday.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars placed
linebacker Jorge Cordova on injured reserve Sunday with a knee
injury.
Cordova, a third-round draft pick in 2004, is still recovering from left knee surgery after tearing a ligament during training camp last season. The pass rushing linebacker/defensive end also spent last year on injured reserve.
To replace him, the Jaguars claimed linebacker Tracy White off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks.
White played in 10 games and started two contests with the Seahawks last season. The 6-foot, 230-pound White recorded 26 tackles, 19 solo, and one sack.
San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers claimed tight
end Trent Smith off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday,
cutting tight end Aaron Walker to make room on the roster.
Smith was the Ravens' seventh-round draft choice in 2003, but hasn't played in the NFL. He went on injured reserve after breaking his leg in his first preseason game, then went on IR again last season with complications from the injury.
Smith was among Baltimore's final cuts Saturday, but San Francisco coach Mike Nolan, the Ravens' defensive coordinator in the previous three seasons, quickly claimed him.
Chicago Bears: The Bears claimed defensive
backs Daven Holly and Chris Thompson off waivers Sunday and waived
offensive lineman Steve Edwards and defensive back Jerrell Pippens.
Holly was with the 49ers and Thompson with the Jaguars. Edwards started 23 games the last two seasons for Chicago, including 16 in 2003.
The Bears also terminated the contract of wide receiver Eddie Berlin from the injured reserve list with an injury settlement. He had a torn groin muscle.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
