NFL ROUNDUP | News and notes

Browns: Free agent linebacker Willie McGinest, cut by New England last week in a salary cap move, could reunite with some former Patriots in Cleveland. The 34-year-old McGinest, who visited the Browns Tuesday night, will be wooed by Browns coach Romeo Crennel, who spent four seasons coaching McGinest as New England's defensive coordinator. Recently signed nose tackle Ted Washington, who played with McGinest on the Patriots' 2003 championship team, has said he will encourage his former teammate to come to Cleveland.
Steelers: Safety Ryan Clark was signed to a four-year contract, giving the team a replacement for free agent Chris Hope. Clark has started 27 games over four years with the New York Giants and Washington Redskins. He started 12 games with the Redskins last season and had 72 tackles and two interceptions. Clark became expendable when the Redskins signed free agent Adam Archuleta on Monday. Hope has been courted by San Francisco, Tennessee and Cleveland.
Quarterbacks: Daunte Culpepper landed in Miami and Drew Brees in New Orleans. Brees, who had been considering Miami and New Orleans, agreed to a six-year deal with the Saints shortly after the Vikings traded Culpepper to the Dolphins for a second-round pick. The moves raised another question: does New Orleans dangle the second pick in the draft for teams seeking Southern California quarterback Matt Leinart? Aaron Brooks, the Saints' starting quarterback for the past five years, is likely to be released, adding another quarterback who still has some value to the market.Miami released last year's starter, Gus Frerotte, who would have cost the team $4.38 million against the salary cap.Another veteran, Jon Kitna, is going to Detroit, according to his agent, Michael Moye. Kitna backed up Carson Palmer in Cincinnati for two years after being voted the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2003, his first season with the Bengals and his only one as a starter with them.
Receivers: The Dallas Cowboys released Keyshawn Johnson, avoiding a $1 million bonus he was due and possibly creating room for Terrell Owens. Johnson is a favorite of coach Bill Parcells and was only scheduled to make $1.5 million this season. However, he was seeking an extension and a raise, and the Cowboys apparently wanted to keep their options open -- perhaps especially because T.O. is available. Johnson turns 34 this summer and is coming off a solid season. He led the team in receptions with 71, and had 839 yards and six touchdowns.Former New England wide receiver David Givens signed with Tennessee. Givens, who had a career-high 59 catches last season, has seven touchdowns in the postseason, a high for New England.
Other moves: In addition to agreeing to terms with Kitna, Detroit re-signed defensive end Kalimba Edwards and kick returner Eddie Drummond to five-year deals. ... The Titans also signed 35-year-old Kevin Mawae, the six-time Pro Bowl center who was cut by the New York Jets last month. ... Mike Williams, the fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft, was signed by Jacksonville. The 360-pound offensive lineman was cut by Buffalo after being a major disappointment. ... The Bills re-signed long-snapper Mike Schneck. ... Philadelphia signed former Bengal Matt Schobel to back up L.J. Smith at tight end. Schobel caught 90 passes for 938 yards and nine touchdowns in four seasons with the Bengals. ... Pro Bowl guard Will Shields restructured his contract with Kansas City, guaranteeing he will finish his career with the Chiefs. But the Chiefs lost backup quarterback Todd Collins, who went to the Redskins for a two-year, $2.5 million deal including a $450,000 signing bonus. ... St. Louis signed cornerback Fakhir Brown from New Orleans. He was primarily a nickel back and special teams player for the Saints last season. ... The New York Giants attempted to firm up a weak secondary by signing a raft of defensive backs. They confirmed last week's signing of former Dolphins cornerback Sam Madison and Monday's deal with R.W. McQuarters, and signed Jason Bell and Quentin Harris. They also re-signed three veterans: backup quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, offensive tackle Bob Whitfield and kick returner Chad Morton.
Associated Press