Broncos grab Ware with 3-year, $30 million deal

Thursday, March 13, 2014

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - The Denver Broncos kept their free agency focus on defense as they agreed to a threeyear deal with pass rusher De-Marcus Ware, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the deal has yet to be announced and is pending a physical.

The deal with Ware is worth $30 million, with $20 million guaranteed.

Ware was let go Tuesday by the Dallas Cowboys in a salary-cap move. He had a franchise-record 117 sacks for the Cowboys since being drafted in the first round in 2005. He had a career-low six sacks last season and missed games for the first time in his career because of a thigh injury.

Ware, 31, will play opposite of Von Miller, who is rehabbing from an ACL injury he suffered Dec. 22.

Denver is on quite a spending spree so far in free agency, agreeing to deals with safety T.J. Ward, cornerback Aqib Talib and Ware for a combined $110 million (approximately $60 million guaranteed). The Broncos are trying to upgrade the talent on the roster because they don’t know how long quarterback Peyton Manning will be running the offense.

COWBOYS Austin released

IRVING, Texas - The Dallas Cowboys released wide receiver Miles Austin on Wednesday, designating it as a June 1 cut.

By releasing the eight-year veteran, the Cowboys will save about $5.5 million in salary cap space, money they likely will use to sign this year’s draft picks.

Austin joined Dallas as an undrafted free agent in 2006. He was a reserve receiver and a kick return specialist for three seasons but in 2009 became a regular. He set a Cowboys record with 250 yards receiving in his first start, an NFL record. Austin finished that season with 1,320 yards and made the Pro Bowl.

SAINTS Thomas staying

METAIRIE, La. - The New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms with running back Pierre Thomas on a two year contract extension.

Thomas has played only in New Orleans, where he signed as an undrafted free agent in 2007. Since then he has become one of the team’s more versatile running backs, averaging 821 yards from scrimmage per season.

Thomas was the Saints’ leading rusher last season with 549 yards. His 513 receiving yards also were the most for a running back, and his five combined touchdowns were tied for second-most on the team.

He was scheduled to make $2.5 million in base salary in the final year of a contract signed before the 2011 season.

BEARS Jennings inks deal

LAKE FOREST, Ill. - The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with former Green Bay safety M.D. Jennings.

Jennings (Arkansas State) spent three years with the Packers. He made 16 starts last season, recording a career-high 68 tackles with 1 pass breakup, 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery.

The Bears announced the move Wednesday.

DOLPHINS

Albert signs contract

DAVIE, Fla. - Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert has signed a $47 million, five-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.

The contract was signed Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Albert agreed to terms.

Albert, a first-round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008, started 83 games for them in the past six seasons. He’ll move into the position played at the start of last season by Jonathan Martin, who left the Dolphins in October as their bullying scandal mushroomed.

Martin was traded Tuesday to the San Francisco 49ers.

SEAHAWKS Clemons released

RENTON, Wash. - The Seattle Seahawks released defensive end Chris Clemons on Wednesday, a move that saves significant salary cap room but takes away one of their top pass rushers the past four seasons.

The move, first reported by NFL.com and confirmed by Clemons’ representatives, was not unexpected as Seattle tries to clear the right amount of financial space to make moves in free agency while also trying to work on extensions for safety Earl Thomas and cornerback Richard Sherman.

Clemons was set to make $7.5 million in base salary in 2014, the final year of an extension he signed with the Seahawks before the start of the 2012 season.

Wednesday’s NFL transactions

ARIZONA CARDINALS - Signed OT Jared Veldheer to a five-year contract.

BALTIMORE RAVENS - Agreed to terms with OT Eugene Monroe on a five-year contract and WR Jacoby Jones on a four-year contract.

BUFFALO BILLS - Signed OL Chris Williams. Agreed to terms with CB Corey Graham.

CHICAGO BEARS - Agreed to terms with S M.D. Jennings (Arkansas State) on a one-year contract.

CLEVELAND BROWNS - Released QBs Brandon Weeden and Jason Campbell. Signed LB Karlos Dansby and DBs Donte Whitner and Isaiah Trufant.

DALLAS COWBOYS - Signed DT Terrell McClain and DE Jeremy Mincey.

DENVER BRONCOS - Agreed to terms with DE DeMarcus Ware on a three-year contract.

DETROIT LIONS - Re-signed RB Joique Bell toa three-year contract. Agreed to terms with WR Golden Tate on a five-year contract.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - Signed DB Husain Abdullah, LB Joe Mays and OL Jeff Linkenbach.

MIAMI DOLPHINS - Signed OT Branden Albert to a five-year contract.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS - Agreed to terms with DT Linval Joseph. Signed LB Jasper Brinkley. Re-signed OL Joe Berger.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - Re-signed TE Michael Hoomanawanui. Released DT Isaac Sopoaga and OL Markus Zusevics.

NEW YORK GIANTS - Placed C David Baas on the waived/failed physical list. Re-signed PK Josh Brown, S Stevie Brown, RB Peyton Hillis (Conway, Arkansas Razorbacks), CB Trumaine McBride and QB Curtis Painter. Waived LB Marcus Dowtin. Signed G Geoff Schwartz and C J.D. Walton.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES - Agreed to terms with LB Bryan Braman on a two-year contract. PITTSBURGH STEELERS - Re-signed OL Cody Wallace to a three-year contract and S Will Allen and LS Greg Warren to one-year contracts.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS - Signed TE David Johnson to a two-year contract.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS - Agreed to terms with S Antoine Bethea on a four-year contract.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS - Released DE Chris Clemons. Agreed to terms with WR Taylor Price on a one-year contract.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - Released CB Darrelle Revis.

TENNESSEE TITANS - Agreed to terms with RB Dexter McCluster on a multi-year contract. Waived OT David Stewart.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS - Signed LB Adam Hayward.

Sports, Pages 26 on 03/13/2014