On Wednesday, Jerry Rice agreed to a one-year contract with the Denver Broncos, where he is expected to vie for a spot as the team's No. 4 wideout. The financial details of the deal were not immediately available but it is believed that Rice will play at or near the NFL minimum base salary for a player of his tenure. Earlier this offseason, Rice approached the San Francisco 49ers about returning to the franchise with which he began his career in 1985, but first-year head coach Mike Nolan respectively rebuffed those overtures. Last week, agent Jim Steiner faxed all 32 teams, apprising them of Rice's desire to play one more season.

The Denver Broncos signed guard Cameron Spikes and released defensive end Randy Garner concurrently. The unrestricted free-agent Spikes played in all 16 games with the Arizona Cardinals last year. At 6-4, 313 pounds, Spikes enters his seventh NFL season after playing for Arizona (2003-04), Houston (2002) and St. Louis (1999-2001). In 63 career regular-season games, Spikes has posted 30 starts.

Punter Todd Sauerbrun, a three-time Pro-Bowler, was traded to the Denver Broncos on Thursday after a troublesome year in Carolina. In exchange for Sauerbrun, the Carolina Panthers have acquired a seventh-round draft pick in 2006 and punter Jason Bake. Sauerbrun fell out of the good graces of the coaching staff and front office last season when he complained about being fined for being overweight and said he wouldn't handle place-kicking duties unless he was refunded the money. "Obviously, Todd is a very good punter,'' Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "Sometimes, a change of scenery is the best thing for a player. We wish Todd the best.''

Jerry Rice spoke with Broncos coach Mike Shanahan on Wednesday about playing for the team this season. Rice's agent, Jim Steiner, confirmed Shanahan and Rice talked Wednesday, and Steiner said he and Shanahan had a preliminary conversation last weekend. "I think there is some interest on both sides," Steiner said. "I think Jerry would love to play for Mike again." In October, shortly before the Broncos played at Oakland, Shanahan said he believed Rice could still play, even though Rice had just turned 42. "Jerry is a guy that might play two, three, four more years," Shanahan said. "If it doesn't work out with the Raiders, I think it will work out for somebody. He still can be productive, and he is still in great shape."

Taken by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 2005 NFL draft, former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett allegedly avoided an NCAA investigation of Ohio State by not returning calls after making claims against the school. "Not once did Mr. Clarett respond to our repeated requests to meet with investigators or provide information," David Price, NCAA vice president of enforcement services, said in a statement. "Specifically, over the course of a month in November and December 2004, phone calls were placed to Mr. Clarett's reported cellphone numbers, relatives, former legal representatives and friends. But the messages left were never returned. In addition, attempts to contact him in person failed." Clarett has previously alleged that coaches and boosters arranged for him to get passing grades, cars and thousands of dollars. He also stated that coach Jim Tressel arranged fro players to receive free cars.

After talks of a hold-out, Browns running back Reuben Droughns is back in Cleveland and working out with the team again. "Right now, I'm not worrying about the business side of it," he said Monday night by phone. "All I'm concerned about is learning the system and getting in shape for the season." Droughns is under contract for $950,000 this season and $1.15 million in 2006. Asked whether he's prepared to play under his current contract: "I'm not ready to comment on that. But a new contract still looms heavy on Droughns mind. He is willing to look past it for the time being and shift his focus on preparing for the 2005-06 season. "I definitely feel I'll be around for the quarterback school [starting May 23] and the minicamp [June 13-15]," he said. "I'm committed to doing everything I can to get ready to play." Unfortunately for Browns fans, this issue is most likely not over.

Mike Anderson is back in Denver and will join a five-piece running back unit similar to the old toy and cartoon ?Voltron? that includes Tatum Bell, Ron Dayne, Quentin Griffin and Maurice Clarett. In 2000, Anderson was the runner du jour for the Broncos, gaining 1,487 yards. Things have not been the same for Anderson who was sidelined for the whole of 2004 with a groin injury, however, he now says he is healthy again and ready to run. "Yeah, of course, I've always felt that way," Anderson said after the first of eight practices the Broncos will hold during their camp at Dove Valley. "Every year, coming back, starting off a new year, I've always felt that way," he said. "I feel that today. I'll feel that tomorrow when I wake up. I'll give it 100 percent, compete against everyone, and may the best man win."

The proposed trade that would send Carolina Panthers star punter Todd Sauerbrun to the Denver Broncos for a seventh-round choice in the 2006 draft has hit a snag and there is a chance now that the much-discussed deal might not be consummated. Absent a trade, the Panthers have indicated they will release the three-time Pro Bowl punter after June 1, when they can soften the blow to their 2005 salary cap. Both sides felt the trade would be completed last week, especially after Sauerbrun huddled with Denver officials, including head coach Mike Shanahan, and indicated his desire to play with the Broncos. But the Broncos are now balking at the request by Sauerbrun and agent David Canter that the team restructure the three years remaining on the player's contract. The Broncos, who have struggled in general with their special teams the last couple seasons, have taken steps to address their problems this offseason, and viewed Sauerbrun as a potential and significant part of the solution.

The Denver Broncos signed rookie free-agent Chad Friehauf today while also waiving tight end Mike Pinkard. Friehauf, 6-6, 211 pounds, finished his career at Division II Colorado School of Mines as its all-time leader in passing yards (9,873), touchdown passes (84), attempts (1,183) and completions (773). "I knew it would work out. It was just a matter of the Broncos making some roster moves," said Friehauf, who was told shortly after last month's draft that Denver would sign him. "I can't wait to start throwing the football again. I'm not worried about my place on the team. I just want to come into the camp and learn the system."

The NFL has confirmed that it will uphold the $75,000 fine levied on Denver Broncos? Pro Bowl safety John Lynch. Lynch was fined a hit on Indianapolis tight end Dallas Clark in which he led with his helmet. "The appeal was heard by commissioner Paul Tagliabue's designated appeals officer, Jackie Slater, and after deliberation, it was determined there will be no change in the fine," NFL spokesman Steve Alic said.