NFL Notes: Tripplett leaves Colts for deal with Buffalo
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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Defensive tackle Larry Tripplett and tight end Robert Royal signed with the Buffalo Bills on Saturday as the team wasted no time addressing its numerous needs on the first day of free agency.
Tripplett, a former Washington Husky, spent the past four seasons with Indianapolis, where he started four games last season.
Tripplett signed a five-year, $18 million contract that included a $5.5 million signing bonus.
Royal, who spent the past four seasons with Washington, agreed to a reported five-year, $10 million contract that included a $2.5 million bonus.
Their additions filled two holes on the Bills' roster after the team released three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Sam Adams and three-year starter Mark Campbell on March 1. Tripplett is expected to take over a starting spot after the team also failed to re-sign Ron Edwards.
"I feel like I'm still growing as a player," Tripplett said. "The coaches here see me playing the type of football that I like to play. I'm just ready to get started."
Tripplett appeared in 15 games last season with the Colts, credited with 24 tackles and a career-high four sacks. His best season was in 2003, when he had a career-high 49 tackles and one sack in 16 starts.
Tripplett was the Colts' second-round pick in the 2002 draft. Overall, he's been credited with 124 tackles and five sacks in 60 games, 30 of them as a starter.
49ers trade Lloyd
to Washington
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers traded leading receiver Brandon Lloyd to Washington for the Redskins' third-round pick this year and their fourth-round selection in 2007.
Lloyd was a restricted free agent for the 49ers, who drafted him in the third round three years ago. He was San Francisco's top receiver last season, catching 48 passes for 733 yards and five touchdowns for the NFL's worst offense. But he alienated teammates and clashed with Mike Nolan's new coaching staff.
Though Nolan repeatedly spoke with Lloyd about the receiver's attitude during a tumultuous season, the coach denied any personality conflicts, even saying he would miss Lloyd. Nolan claimed the trade wasn't requested by Lloyd, who improved markedly during his one season under receivers coach Jerry Sullivan.
"He's got some of the best hands you'll see, and he does make plays," Nolan said. "We did this to make our team better. ... If he didn't [want to return to San Francisco], he never voiced it to me."
San Francisco signed Lloyd to an offer sheet earlier in the month, but Washington seems more enamored with his highlight-reel skills than the 49ers were.
QB carousel
The New York Jets opened the free-agency period by arranging a visit with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna, the New York Daily News reported.
Kitna, a former Seahawk from Tacoma, met on Saturday with the Detroit Lions. He is scheduled to arrive in New York tonight to begin a two-day visit with Jets officials.
It appears the Jets, hoping to acquire a starting-caliber veteran, will end up with Kitna or the Redskins' Patrick Ramsey, who is on the trading block.
The Miami Dolphins met Saturday with quarterback Drew Brees in Birmingham, Ala., but also were considering a trade for Daunte Culpepper.
The Dolphins also met in Florida with David Givens, one of the top free-agent receivers. He caught 59 passes for 738 yards and two touchdowns last year for New England.
The availability of Brees (shoulder) and Culpepper (knee) this year is uncertain because both are recovering from major surgery.
New Orleans also was believed to be pursuing Brees.
Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowl selection for Minnesota, has been at odds with the Vikings over his 10-year, $102 million contract and wants to be traded.
There has been speculation Oakland, Baltimore, St. Louis and Arizona also are interested in Culpepper.
Notes
• The Denver Broncos re-signed defensive end Gerard Warren, running back Ron Dayne and long snapper Mike Leach. Warren signed for six years, Dayne for three and Leach for four. Warren, the third overall pick in 2001 out of Florida, joined the Broncos last season and had 44 tackles and three sacks.
• The Minnesota Vikings re-signed wide receiver Koren Robinson, a former Seahawks first-round draft pick. Robinson agreed to a $12.7 million, three-year deal, his agent said. The Vikings signed three free agents: kicker Ryan Longwell, running back Chester Taylor and linebacker Ben Leber. Taylor was the backup in Baltimore to Jamal Lewis, rushing for 487 yards on 117 carries last year. Longwell was with the Packers since 1997, when he was a rookie on their second Super Bowl team.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars signed free-agent cornerback Brian Williams. The fifth-year veteran played the past four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings under Mike Tice, now a Jaguars assistant. Williams' signing was reported to be for six years and worth close to $32 million, including a $10 million signing bonus.
• Free-agent center LeCharles Bentley signed a six-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. The deal reportedly was worth $36 million and included $12.5 million in guarantees. Bentley, a Cleveland native, played the past four seasons for New Orleans. In addition, the Browns signed free-agent tackle Kevin Shaffer.
• The St. Louis Rams signed free-agent safety Corey Chavous to a five-year contract. He is reportedly expected to make nearly $12 million in the first three years of the deal. Chavous could replace free agent Adam Archuleta as a starting safety.
• Running back DeShaun Foster agreed to a three-year, $14.5 million contract with the Carolina Panthers. Foster earlier had been designated Carolina's transition player. The Panthers also agreed to terms with defensive tackle Maake Kemoeatu, who spent the past four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Kemoeatu agreed to a five-year deal worth $23 million, including $8 million in bonus money.
• The Dallas Cowboys signed versatile offensive lineman Kyle Kosier to a five-year, $15 million contract that included a $5 million bonus. Dallas also re-signed center Andre Gurode. The addition of Kosier was intriguing because of the ramifications it could have on Larry Allen, due a $2 million roster bonus on April 1. If the Cowboys release Allen, they'd clear about $3 million under the cap.
• Kicker Joe Nedney re-signed with the 49ers for four more years.
• The Arizona Cardinals signed free-agent defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy to a four-year contract.
• Defensive end Aaron Kampman signed a contract extension with the Green Bay Packers.
• Green Bay Packers cornerback Ahmad Carroll has pleaded innocent to misdemeanor charges in Fayetteville, Ark., that he slapped the hand of a police officer who was trying to speak to him.