NFL
Notebook: Bucs coach Gruden reunites with Brown

By The Associated Press and Gannett News Service

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Tim Brown signed yesterday with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a move that reunites the former Oakland receiver with ex-Raiders coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen.

The 38-year-old, nine-time Pro Bowl performer will be counted on to bolster a receiving corps that is in desperate need of experienced help because of injuries and Keenan McCardell's holdout.

Brown was released last week after 16 seasons with the Raiders, who told one of the most popular players in team history that he was no better than the fourth- or fifth-best receiver in a group that includes starters Jerry Rice and Jerry Porter.

In Tampa Bay, Brown could wind up being a starter with McCardell demanding a raise after a Pro Bowl season and Joe Jurevicius out indefinitely after undergoing back surgery earlier this month.

The Bucs also think rookie receiver Michael Clayton, the team's first-round draft choice, can benefit from being around the 17th-year pro.

Brown played a franchise-record 240 games for the Raiders. Gruden coached Brown from 1998 through 2001.

Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks sprained a knee in practice, but the injury is not considered serious.

"We got a scare," Gruden said. "But fortunately he's OK."

Arizona's Boldin suffers knee injury

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Arizona is waiting anxiously for test results on the right knee of receiver Anquan Boldin, the league's offensive rookie of the year last season.
 
The Cardinals' only Pro Bowl player injured his right knee while loosening up for practice and was carted from the field.

"He wasn't running or anything," Arizona coach Dennis Green said.

Boldin experienced soreness in the same knee on Monday, sitting out a morning practice. He participated in a walkthrough on Monday afternoon.

Boldin had X-rays and an MRI exam but results will not be available until today because orthopedist Russell Chick, who administered the tests, also operated on running back Marcel Shipp's broken left leg yesterday.

Notes

• The Cleveland Browns and tight end Kellen Winslow, the sixth pick in the draft, reportedly have a deal.

A team source said Winslow's six-year contract has a base salary of $29 million and could be worth up to $40 million if the ex-Miami standout reaches all his incentives. It includes $16.5 million for signing, the source said.

• Running back Chris Perry of Michigan ended an 11-day holdout by signing with Cincinnati. Perry was the 26th overall pick in the draft.

"We're just excited to have him here," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said of Perry. "It's a process that's taken a little time, but that's part of it."

• Philadelphia defensive end Jevon Kearse returned to practice after leaving the field Monday with a sprained left ankle.

"The ankle is 100 percent better," he said.

Kearse plans to play in the exhibition opener on Friday against New England.

• Philadelphia receiver Terrell Owens, in an interview with Playboy magazine, makes remarks about the sexual orientation of Cleveland quarterback Jeff Garcia. Owens and Garcia were teammates with the San Francisco 49ers.

But after practice, Owens told reporters, "I didn't say (Garcia) was gay; it was a loose interview."

Garcia has said he is not gay. Earlier this year, he said, "I've heard the rumor myself that I'm gay. That is not the case. I've had girlfriends in the past and I do want to be married someday."

• Buffalo offensive lineman Mike Williams, fined last week by the team for missing a training-camp session, missed practice again because of an apparent injury to his right foot.

Last week, Williams was fined by coach Mike Mularkey after skipping practice because of "personal problems." Williams did not provide details, saying only that the situation had been rectified.

• Detroit linebacker Boss Bailey will miss at least two to three weeks while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Trainer Al Bellamy said Bailey was to undergo surgery today in Athens, Ga., to repair damaged cartilage.

• Receiver Antonio Freeman worked out for the Miami Dolphins, a day after David Boston had season-ending knee surgery.

A former Pro Bowler and once Brett Favre's No. 1 target in Green Bay, Freeman caught 14 passes for 141 yards in 15 games with the Packers last season.