Free-agent recap: Tuesday, March 9

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Chiefs land former Jets RB Jones
The Chiefs have found the big, powerful back they were searching for, signing Thomas Jones(notes) to a two-year, $5 million contract on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jones, 31, was released by the Jets last week as a cost-saving measure, as the veteran was scheduled to make $5.8 million (including bonuses) this season. With rookie RB Shonn Greene(notes) coming on late in the season, New York opted to part ways with Jones even though he had a career-best 1,402 rushing yards in 2009.
Chiefs head coach Todd Haley had been adamant this offseason about adding a larger, durable rusher to complement Jamaal Charles(notes), who was spectacular late in ’09 but is not built to handle a full workload over the course of an entire season. Coming off a career-high 331 carries, Jones would appear to fit the bill. It’s likely the pair will split carries in 2010, though it remains to be seen who will start.
A first-round pick of Arizona in 2000, Jones’ career did not take off until he joined the Bears in ’04. He then went on to have three productive years in Chicago before doing the same for three seasons with the Jets. The Virginia product has rushed for at least 1,100 yards in each of the past five seasons, not missing a game since the ’05 campaign and scoring 29 touchdowns over the past two years.

Broncos beef up D-line with ex-Patriot Green, ex-Charger Williams
Denver added a couple much-needed reinforcements to its defensive line Tuesday.
Denver reportedly signed former Patriots DE Jarvis Green(notes) to a four-year deal, which included a $2.5 million signing bonus. Green will contribute in the Broncos’ defensive-line rotation and could compete for a starting job.
The 31-year-old Green spent the first eight seasons of his career in New England, where McDaniels coached from 2002-08 before coming to Denver last year. Green made 36 tackles and had one sack last season.
The team also signed former Chargers NT Jamal Williams(notes) to a three-year deal, according to reports. San Diego released Williams on March 4 after he missed all but the season opener in ’09 because of a triceps injury. He’ll turn 34 in April and is past his prime, but he should see snaps along with Denver’s starting nose tackle from last season, Ronald Fields(notes).

Giants sign Sorgi to back up Eli
Jim Sorgi(notes) will go from backing up one Manning to the other.The Giants announced that Sorgi, who has been Peyton Manning’s(notes) backup for the past six seasons, now will compete to be the No. 2 behind Eli Manning(notes) in New York.“Both are elite players,” Sorgi said. “I had a great time working with Peyton, and I learned a lot, obviously. The experience was invaluable as far as my development as a professional. I hate to see my time in Indianapolis come to an end, but I am as excited about working with Eli as I am sad about leaving Peyton, and I look forward to working with Eli and helping him any way I can. I have been fortunate to work with Peyton, who has one of the greatest minds in the game.”Sorgi came on board when David Carr(notes), Manning’s backup the past two seasons, signed with the 49ers. In his career, Sorgi has played in 16 games (zero starts) and completed 99-of-156 attempts for 929 yards with six touchdowns with one interception and a career QB rating of 89.9.In 2009, Sorgi appeared in only one game as a reserve at St. Louis before being placed on injured reserve on December 9 with tendonitis in his shoulder. He passed his workout with the Giants.“Jim demonstrated in the meeting room with our coaches that he is very sharp and a very good student of the game, which you would expect after spending six years backing up Peyton,” head coach Tom Coughlin said. “He is used to spending the amount of time that is necessary in preparation. He was involved in the study and preparation and everything that Peyton does, so he will be outstanding in the meeting room with Eli.”

Browns release QB Anderson
The Browns released QB Derek Anderson(notes) on Tuesday, one day after acquiring QB Seneca Wallace(notes) from Seattle.
Anderson, who played five seasons for Cleveland, struggled mightily last season, completing just 81-of-182 passes (44.5 percent) for 888 yards with three TDs and 10 interceptions. His QB rating was an abysmal 42.1. Anderson was reportedly due a $2 million roster bonus on March 19.
The 26-year-old Anderson’s best season came in 2007, when he took the starting job from Charlie Frye(notes) and threw for 29 TDs. He began the ’08 season as the starter but eventually was benched in favor of Brady Quinn(notes). Anderson relieved Quinn after just 2½ games in ’09 but was again relegated to the bench after five starts. He started the final two games after Quinn suffered a season-ending foot injury.
“I want to thank Derek for everything that he gave to the Cleveland Browns organization over the last five years,” Browns head coach Eric Mangini said in a team-issued statement Tuesday. “He did everything we asked of him, and it was a pleasure to coach such a competitive person. I want to wish him all the best in the future.”

Packers S Collins signs tender
In what his agent called a “good-faith gesture” aimed at negotiating a long-term contract, Packers Pro Bowl S Nick Collins(notes) removed himself from the free-agent market Tuesday by signing his one-year, $3.3 million restricted free agent tender. “Based on the tender Nick received and based on Nick’s desire to stay with the Packers and take part in the off-season program, which is something he really wanted to do, he elected to sign the tender,” Collins’ agent, Alan Herman, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “Nick really likes it in Green Bay and wants to stay there. Hopefully, this will help us finalize a deal as we move forward.”The 26-year-old Collins earned his second straight Pro Bowl berth after finishing fifth in the NFL in interceptions with six. Over a two-year period, he has 13 interceptions, including three he has returned for touchdowns.

Dolphins re-sign NT Ferguson
The Dolphins have announced they re-signed NT Jason Ferguson(notes).
Ferguson, who is heading into his 14th season, has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2010 campaign for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He will be allowed to parcticipate in offseason workouts, training camp and preseason games, and he could appeal the suspension.
Miami was desperate for help at nose tackle, and Ferguson played the position well last season before suffering a quadriceps injury that landed him on injured reserve after Week 11. If he makes the team, Ferguson will share snaps at nose tackle with Paul Soliai(notes), as he did last season.

Bears release veteran RB Jones
In a move that has yet to be officially announced, the Bears have reportedly released veteran RB Kevin Jones(notes). Considered more expendable after the team’s signing last Friday of free agent Chester Taylor(notes), Jones was a nonfactor for the Bears in 2009 after tearing ligaments in his left ankle before the season began. Jones was excited about being reunited with new Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz, whom he played for in Detroit. But with Taylor added to a backfield already including starting RB Matt Forté, Garrett Wolfe(notes), Khalil Bell and veteran Adrian Peterson, team insiders believed the handwriting was on the walls of Halas Hall.While Jones has been medically cleared to play again after sitting out last year, it’s quite likely the former first-round pick’s numerous injuries could scare away potential suitors.