NFL ROUNDUP \ News and notes

Steelers: Rookie center Marvin Philip was signed to a multi-year contract Monday. The 6-foot-1, 307-pound Philip was selected in the sixth round, 201st overall, out of California in the draft. Philip was a two-time finalist for the Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the best center in college football. He was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection as a junior and senior. Terms of the deal were not announced.
Bills: Draft picks Ko Simpson, Kyle Williams, Brad Butler and Aaron Merz were signed Monday. Simpson, a fourth-round selection out of South Carolina, led the Gamecocks in tackles in 2005 with 103. Williams, a fifth-round pick, was a three-year starting defensive tackle with LSU. Butler, also taken in the fifth round, played offensive tackle for Virginia last season. Merz, Buffalo's final draft pick in the seventh round, went from a walk-on to a starter on the offensive line at California, starting 27 games during his four-year career.
Jaguars: Cornerback Dee Webb was signed to a four-year deal, making him the first of Jacksonville's draft picks this year to agree to terms. The former University of Florida player, who is from Jacksonville, was selected in the seventh round. His deal included a signing bonus and the minimum salaries for each season, starting at $275,000. The Jaguars still have five draft picks to sign before the players report to camp Friday.
Buccaneers: Sixth-round draft pick Bruce Gradkowski signed a contract Monday. A three-year starter at Toledo, Gradkowski became the first quarterback in major college football history to complete more than 70 percent of his passes in consecutive seasons, in 2003 and 2004. He finished with a career completion percentage of 68.2, a Division I-A record. To make room on the roster, fullback Robert Douglas was released.
Patriots: Second-round pick Chad Jackson was signed Monday along with three other rookies. The others were kicker Stephen Gostkowski, a fourth-round choice and possible replacement for Adam Vinatieri; tight end David Thomas, another fourth-rounder; sixth-round pick Jeremy Mincey, a linebacker; and free agent wide receiver Keron Henry. The team has signed all its 2006 draft picks except first-round selection Laurence Maroney.
Texans: The team reached deals with offensive tackles Charles Spencer and Eric Winston. The Sunday signings were announced Monday by the Texans, who will open training camp this week. Both players were drafted in the third round.
Eagles: Correll Buckhalter took some handoffs, made a few cuts and burst through open holes. It was no minor accomplishment. After missing three full seasons in the last four years with knee injuries, Buckhalter returned to the field Monday when Philadelphia held its first full-team practice of training camp. "I feel fortunate and blessed to have sustained two injuries to one leg and be able to come back," Buckhalter said. "They say hard work pays off. One thing I love to do is play football. I told myself I'd do everything I can to get back. The odds were against me. I went against those odds and I'm going to keep working hard."
Associated Press