NFL Roundup: News and notes

Steelers: Pittsburgh signed former Titan and Panther Justin Hartwig to a $3,725,000, two-year contract Tuesday, making him the second free agent center they have added in as many offseasons. Last year, the Steelers signed Sean Mahan away from Tampa Bay by giving him a $17 million, five-year contract that included a $4 million signing bonus. They plan to use Mahan as a backup at several positions, including guard and center. The Steelers were third in the NFL in rushing last season, but Ben Roethlisberger was sacked 47 times, the second most in club history. By adding the 6-foot-4, 312-pound Hartwig, the Steelers could have different starters at three offensive line positions. Chris Kemoeatu is expected to start at left guard for longtime All-Pro guard Alan Faneca, who signed with the Jets. Max Starks will get the chance to win back his job at right tackle from 2007 starter Willie Colon. Hartwig’s contract includes a $975,000 signing bonus and is the second he signed as a free agent in three years. The 29-year-old Hartwig was the Tennessee’s center for most of four seasons, starting 47 games, before signing a $17 million, five-year deal with Carolina in 2006. He missed all but one game that season with a groin injury but played 15 games last season until being cut two weeks ago, along with left guard Mike Wahle, during a Panthers offensive line shakeup. The Steelers have been up against the salary cap most of the offseason, but cleared some room last week by waiving wide receiver Cedrick Wilson, who was due $2 million this season.

Pacman Jones speaks: Adam “Pacman” Jones offered a three-hour mea culpa Tuesday with someone who knows what it’s like to be an NFL outcast. The troubled cornerback, suspended from the NFL and unlikely to rejoin the Titans if he gets to play again, was a guest on Michael Irvin’s radio show amid speculation he could become the Cowboys’ next reclamation project. Jones was equal parts contrite and defiant in discussing his six arrests since being drafted three years ago, taking responsibility for “bad decisions” while disputing details of the police reports. He spoke about the Titans in the past tense, said he wanted to be a Cowboy and expressed confidence that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would reinstate him. “I’m not sitting here telling you I don’t own up to mistakes I’ve made,” Jones said. “I accept everything, the punishment, everything that comes along with the bad decisions and bad choices I’ve made. In the end, I just pray to God I get a second chance.”

Bills: Trent Edwards arrived for the opening of a voluntary offseason conditioning program eager to show how far he can carry the Bills now that he’s the starting quarterback. “Sitting at home in January, watching the playoffs, watching these quarterbacks lead their teams, kind of motivated me a little bit more,” Edwards said. “I’m feeling good. I’m ready to go.” Buffalo’s third-round draft pick out of Stanford, Edwards went 5-5 in 10 appearances as a rookie last year, credited for salvaging a season in which the Bills finished 7-9 after an 0-3 start. Besides ousting incumbent J.P. Losman as starter, Edwards finished second among Bills rookie quarterbacks in touchdown passes (seven), yards passing (1,630) and completions (151).

Broncos: Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey said he will step up to mentor beleaguered wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the aftermath of a freak accident that will keep Marshall from working out for four months. Veteran Rod Smith mentored Marshall in his first two seasons, but Smith is on the injured retirement list. Bailey said he’s willing to assume the role of big brother for Marshall, a third-year pro who caught 102 passes for 1,325 yards and seven touchdowns last year. “I’m not really worried about him,” Bailey said. “I’ll keep my eye on him.” Marshall said he was roughhousing with family members Saturday when he slipped on a fast-food bag and put his right arm through a home entertainment center. The Broncos confirmed Tuesday that Marshall lacerated an artery, a vein, a nerve, two tendons and three muscles in his right forearm. He underwent surgery and could miss up to four months of offseason preparations while he heals. “I think as a group we can definitely make sure he does his thing,” Bailey said. “It’s crazy something like this can happen.”

Vick trial: Michael Vick’s trial on state dogfighting charges in Sussex, Va., was rescheduled for June 27. Surry County Circuit Judge W. Allan Sharrett set a trial date suggested by Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerald Poindexter and Vick’s lawyers, who did not attend the hearing. The trial originally was set for April 2. Trials for two of Vick’s co-defendants also were postponed. Poindexter cited the logistics of getting a federal prisoner into state court as the reason for the delays. Co-defendants Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace are serving federal sentences in Oklahoma and New Jersey, respectively. Their trials originally were set for March 5.

Roster moves: Rich Seubert signed a three-year extension with the Giants, keeping the starting left guard under contract through 2012. … The Rams agreed to a one-year contract with wide receiver Reche Caldwell. … The Lions signed linebacker Gilbert Gardner to a one-year deal. … The Vikings signed linebacker Heath Farwell and cornerback Benny Sapp to one-year deals. … The Texans released center Steve McKinney, one of the franchise’s original players, and re-signed punter Matt Turk.

Associated Press