Anderson Close to Deal

Former NFC rushing leader Jamal Anderson and the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots are about to join forces.

“We’ve agreed in principle” to a contract, James Sims, Anderson’s agent, said Monday. “It’s looking pretty good.”

The Patriots, who are pleased with their three running backs, wouldn’t confirm an agreement with the unrestricted free agent who spent eight seasons with Atlanta.

Team spokesman Stacey James cited a team policy of not commenting on agreements or signings unless and until they are submitted to the league and approved.

Anderson led the NFC in rushing in 1998 with 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns, his third straight 1,000-yard season.

He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee early the next season.

In 2000, he rushed for 1,024 yards, then tore the ACL in his left knee on Sept. 30, 2001. The Falcons released him in June.

*

The Green Bay Packers limped to a sloppy 27-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns in an exhibition game at Green Bay, Wis.

The Browns returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and took a 14-0 lead by the time Brett Favre had taken his fourth snap.

Browns’ quarterback Tim Couch took advantage of the Packers’ missing starting cornerbacks to complete 14 of 18 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown before leaving with a mild strain of his right elbow.

X-rays were negative, but Couch will undergo an exam today.

The Browns dominated until Cletidus Hunt blocked a field-goal attempt by Phil Dawson and Darren Sharper scooped it up and ran the final 35 yards for a touchdown 19 seconds before halftime that brought the Packers to 14-10.

Green Bay took its first lead when fullback Chris Gall hauled in a short pass from Doug Pederson and ran 35 yards for the score late in the third quarter.

*

The Bengals chose Gus Frerotte as their starting quarterback, their fifth different opening quarterback in the last five years.

Jon Kitna dropped into the backup role, and Akili Smith was relegated to No. 3.

*

Detroit offensive tackle Victor Rogers will miss his rookie season because of an injured ankle.

The seventh-round pick from Colorado was put on injured reserve Monday.

Receiver Germane Crowell (knee) and defensive end Anthony Herron (foot) were put on the reserved and physically unable to perform list, which means both players can’t play or practice for the first six weeks of the season.

*

Washington offensive lineman Rod Jones is out for the season because of an elbow injury.... Tampa Bay defensive end Marcus Jones had arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee and will be sidelined four weeks.... New England Patriot owner Robert Kraft was released from a Boston hospital after undergoing heart bypass surgery last week.... Oakland Raider starting right guard Mo Collins will undergo surgery this week to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

*

The San Francisco 49ers waived five players, including former XFL running back Saladin McCullough. The 49ers also cut receiver Jeremy McDaniel, offensive tackles Austin Lee and John Feugill and safety Brian Smith.

*

Raider defensive lineman Darrell Russell, who is serving a one-year suspension for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy, was arrested on charges of drunken driving and speeding at Carson City, Nev.

Carson City sheriff’s officials said Russell posted $1,205 bail and was released a few hours later.

A court date was set for Sept. 19.