The following is a summary of the news involving free agents, trades and other contract-related news for Wednesday, March 11.

The Cardinals have agreed to terms with former Denver LS Mike Leach on a three-year deal. Further contract details were not immediately available.

Leach, who had been Denver's long-snapper the previous 6½ seasons, requested his release after the Broncos signed former Patriots LS Lonnie Paxton to a five-year deal Feb. 27.

Leach replaces longtime Cardinals LS Nate Hodel, who was released after failing a physical but was able to hook on with New England as Paxton's replacement.

The Bears have signed S Josh Bullocks to a one-year contract. Complete terms of the contract were undisclosed, but both the Chicago Sun-Times and Scouts.com reported that the deal includes $525,000 in guaranteed money.

Bullocks, who turned 26 last month, started 49 games in his four seasons with the Saints and is expected to compete for the starting FS job with second-year pro Craig Steltz. A second-round pick of the Saints in the 2005 NFL draft out of Nebraska, Bullocks has recorded 306 tackles, six interceptions, 28 passes defensed, three forced fumbles and one sack during his four-year NFL career. He also has added 20 tackles, two blocked field goals and one forced fumble on special teams.

The Chiefs released QB Quinn Gray on Wednesday.

Gray was deemed expendable after the team acquired QB Matt Cassel on Feb. 28. With Cassel, Tyler Thigpen and Brodie Croyle all on the roster, the Chiefs no longer needed the depth Gray provided.

Gray, a six-year veteran, spent his first five seasons with the Jaguars before signing with Kansas City during the 2008 campaign and appearing in one game. Gray has played in 12 career contests, making four starts, and has thrown 13 TDs and five interceptions.

The Panthers have released CB Ken Lucas, reports indicate.

Releasing Lucas will create $2.3 million in cap space for the Panthers, who almost traded the nine-year veteran to the Lions this offseason before the deal fell through. Carolina was strapped for cash and ESPN.com reported that the team had a league-low $24,042 in cap space prior to cutting Lucas.

Richard Marshall, who has been the Panthers' third corner for the past few seasons, will step into the starting lineup to replace Lucas. Marshall is about six years younger than Lucas, 30, and has performed well for Carolina.

Lucas struggled toward the end of last season and it had long been expected that the Panthers would part with him this offseason.

The Bears announced the release Wednesday afternoon of veteran OL Terrence Metcalf, who never was more than ordinary in his seven seasons in Chicago. The Bears' third-round draft pick out of Ole Miss in the 2002 draft, Metcalf appeared in 84 games, including 25 starts.

Metcalf was in the running last offseason to replace Ruben Brown as the Bears' starting left guard but was eventually beaten out by undersized second-year pro Josh Beekman. Metcalf appeared in six games as a backup in '08.

The Eagles have added another safety to the mix. The team has signed journeyman Rashad Baker, who has played five years in the pros with four teams, most recently the Raiders.

In 2008, Baker played in 10 games and started one, picking up a career-high three interceptions. He has played in 52 career games, starting four. He likely will have a big role on special teams and will be a backup safety if he makes the club.

Baker is the second safety to arrive, joining Sean Jones, since Brian Dawkins left town to sign with the Eagles.

The Rams continue to stay very busy on the free-agent front with the signing of FB Mike Karney, who spent his previous five seasons at the pro level with the Saints. Selected by New Orleans in the fifth round of the 2004 draft, Karney played in 75 games for the Saints, including 46 starts.

"Mike has proven to be a solid fullback since entering the league in 2004," said Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo. "We are excited that he is now a Ram, and we look forward to him being an effective part of our offense in the future."

The 5-11, 255-pound Karney had his best statistical season in 2006, when he set career highs in rushes (11), rushing yards (33), receptions (15) and receiving yards (96).

The Browns have signed Jets UFA LB David Bowens to a four-year, $7.2 million contract and Jets RFA S Abram Elam to a one-year, $1.5 million offer sheet, multiple media outlets reported.

Bowens, 31, played 16 games for the Jets last season, starting five. He notched 40 tackles and four sacks. Bowens can play both inside and outside linebacker but played inside more last season.

Elam, 27, made 69 tackles for the Jets last season. He played in all 16 games, starting nine. If the Jets do not match the offer sheet, the Browns will not owe the Jets draft-pick compensation.

The Browns have already signed former Jets DL C.J. Mosley and CB Hank Poteat.

Steelers ORT Willie Colon, a restricted free agent, has signed a one-year contract, the team announced Wednesday. Colon's contract is for $2.198 million.

The 6-3, 315-pound Colon started every game for the Steelers last season and has made 34 regular-season starts in three NFL seasons. He has been the starter at right tackle since the end of the 2006 season.

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Tuesday's free-agent news wrap-up
By PFW staff, March 10, 2009