Kicker Vinatieri Agrees to Terms With Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are switching from the NFL’s most accurate kicker to the best in the clutch.

Taking a key piece from rival New England, Indianapolis agreed in principle to a deal with Adam Vinatieri, the Colts announced Tuesday night. Vinatieri, who twice made winning kicks in the Super Bowl for the Patriots, replaces former Pro Bowl kicker Mike Vanderjagt.

Terms were not available.

The Patriots allowed Vinatieri to test free agency rather than putting a franchise designation on him, which would have cost the team $3 million next season.

Vinatieri, 33, had been named the team’s franchise player twice, including last year, when he was paid $2.5 million.

The San Diego Chargers have agreed to accept a $1.9-million settlement from the city for money the team lost over the last three years after Qualcomm Stadium was reconfigured to meet federal rules for accommodating disabled fans.

To help out the cash-strapped city, the team said it won’t seek payment until 2007.

State arbitrator Gerald J. Lewis issued a tentative ruling in December that the city owed the Chargers more than $1.5 million in damages for money the team lost in ticket, concession and merchandising revenue for modifications made to the stadium to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Lewis adjusted his final ruling to $1.9 million.

The Dallas Cowboys released guard Larry Allen, probably cutting ties to one of the most dominant offensive linemen in NFL history.

Allen, the last player left from the Cowboys’ most recent Super Bowl team, has played 12 seasons.

The team opted to let him go rather than pay him a $2-million roster bonus he was due April 1. The move also saves the Cowboys about $3.5 million toward next season’s salary cap.

John Abraham finally got what he wanted when the New York Jets traded the Pro Bowl defensive end to the Atlanta Falcons in a three-way deal with Denver.

Denver and Atlanta swapped No. 1 picks, with the Broncos getting the 15th overall selection and the Falcons getting pick No. 29. Then the Falcons sent that pick to the Jets in exchange for Abraham.

Atlanta also got middle-round picks in 2006 and 2007 from Denver.

Brian Griese agreed to a five-year deal with the Chicago Bears, adding depth behind Rex Grossman at quarterback.

Griese, 31, led Tampa Bay to a 5-1 start last season before a knee injury ended his season.

The Seattle Seahawks have agreed on the parameters of a contract with San Francisco 49er free-agent linebacker Julian Peterson.

Peterson’s agent, Kevin Poston, said the contract is for $54 million over seven years and includes $18.5 million guaranteed. The deal is worth $10 million in the first year, $18.4 million in the second and $23.5 million in the third.

Defensive tackle John Henderson signed a six-year contract extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Terms of the deal were not released, but Henderson’s agent, Tim McGee, said the contract gave Henderson more guaranteed money than any other NFL tackle.

End Reggie Hayward, cornerback Rashean Mathis and tackle Marcus Stroud already had signed five-year contracts with the Jaguars.

Those deals totaled $82 million, including about $30 million guaranteed.

Eric Moulds has the Buffalo Bills’ permission to seek a trade, the latest step for the veteran receiver who asked for his release after repeatedly rejecting the team’s demands to take a pay cut.

“We are shopping Eric,” Moulds’ advisor, Greg Johnson, told the Associated Press. “Obviously, we would much rather have Eric released. But if we can work out a trade, we will. But if not, we’re back to square one and Eric won’t play for the Bills.”

The Cincinnati Bengals signed receiver and kick returner Antonio Chatman to a two-year contract. He played the last three seasons for Green Bay.

The Arizona Cardinals matched the offer sheet that guard Reggie Wells signed with the Bills, a five-year, $17.6-million deal that includes $5 million in signing bonuses.

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MISCELLANY

Unser Says He Will Race in Indy 500

Al Unser Jr., a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, said he would end a two-year retirement and drive at Indy for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. He’ll also participate in Indy Racing League tests at the Speedway next month.

“Since I got out of the car, I’ve gotten into a real estate partnership, played some golf, picked up tennis, and it’s just not doing it for me,” Unser, 43, said.

A misdemeanor domestic abuse charge against Green Bay Packer running back Ahman Green -- stemming from an argument with his wife last April -- was dismissed.

NFL Hall of Fame member Carl Eller has pleaded guilty to drunk driving as part of a deal that calls for a $1,000 fine, probation and community service.

Bernard Hopkins will meet Antonio Tarver in an International Boxing Organization light-heavyweight championship bout June 10 in Atlantic City, N.J.

Former Baylor coach Dave Bliss has resigned as the coach of the CBA’s Dakota Wizards, after posting a 19-29 record in his first season with the team.

Kim Clijsters was selected the 2005 WTA Tour player of the year and comeback player of the year, and Roger Federer was the ATP Tour player of the year, the sportsman of the year and the fans’ favorite winner during an awards banquet at Miami.

Santa Ana College Coach Don Sneddon won his 832nd game -- most in California community college baseball -- in the Dons’ 2-1 victory over Riverside.