Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen, who helped form one of the NFL's greatest defensive lines before embarking on a successful career in television, died Thursday after a battle with cancer. He was 69. Olsen was a member of the Los Angeles Rams' "Fearsome Foursome" along with Deacon Jones, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier in the 1960s.
The Minnesota Vikings wined and dined LaDainian Tomlinson on Wednesday night, then spent much of Thursday meeting with the star running back in hopes of pairing him with Adrian Peterson in what would be a big-name backfield. Tomlinson emerged from Vikings headquarters on Thursday evening with a purple Vikings jersey in hand, but pulled away in a black limousine without a deal in place.
The Cleveland Browns spent another day looking for a new quarterback by meeting with an older one. Free agent Jake Delhomme, released last week after seven seasons with the Carolina Panthers, visited Thursday with the perpetually rebuilding Browns, who have been busy this week trying to improve their unstable situation at QB.
The Arizona Cardinals have re-signed offensive tackle Jeremy Bridges to a three-year contract and, in what could portend a far more significant development, welcomed free agent linebackers Joey Porter and Larry Foote for a visit. Quarterback Derek Anderson, released by the Cleveland Browns this week, is scheduled to be in Tempe to meet with the Cardinals on Friday.
The group of Denver Broncos players arrived at the Safari nightclub to celebrate New Year's Eve and was whisked inside by bouncers. One of the dozens of people waiting in line to get in -- an alleged Tre-Tre Crips gang member -- took exception. "We street," Willie Clark told wide receiver Brandon Marshall, according to court testimony.
Defensive tackle Tank Johnson has signed a four-year deal to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson started 13 games last season despite a case of plantar faciitis in his right foot that limited his mobility and caused a lot of pain. He felt better as the season went along, and tied for the team lead with 10 tackles in a playoff loss to the Jets.
Matt Moore has signed his one-year, $3.043 million tender with the Carolina Panthers, who have declared him the starting quarterback going into training camp. Moore's agent, Lynn Lashbrook, says Moore preferred to sign the tender than test the free agency market. Thursday's move comes a week after the Panthers released longtime starter Jake Delhomme.
New England Patriots running back Kevin Faulk didn't want to go out like Nomar Garciaparra. Watching the former Boston Red Sox All-Star shortstop retire on Wednesday helped convince Faulk that he wanted to spend his entire career with the Patriots. So Faulk re-signed with the Patriots, the team that made him a second-round draft choice in 1999 and the only team he's ever played for.
The Oakland Raiders released defensive tackle Gerard Warren on Thursday, letting go of yet another veteran this offseason. The decision to release Warren follows moves in the past week to cut ties with running back Justin Fargas, defensive end Greg Ellis and receiver Javon Walker. Those moves help the Raiders save money, as well as open up opportunities for young players to get more significant...
The New York Jets and safety Brodney Pool, whose career appeared to be threatened by head injuries, agreed in principle to a one-year contract Thursday worth $1.3 million. The deal includes $1.2 million guaranteed, agent Ben Dogra told The Associated Press. Pool wasn't given a second-round tender by Cleveland last week, making him an unrestricted free agent.
