Culpepper, Raiders reach one-year deal

From Times Wire Reports

Free-agent quarterback Daunte Culpepper signed a one-year contract with Oakland on Tuesday, giving the Raiders a backup plan for unsigned top draft pick JaMarcus Russell.

Culpepper, 30, worked out in the afternoon before a gathering of Raiders scouts and coaches. The workout was private and Culpepper left without speaking to reporters, but Oakland Coach Lane Kiffin announced the signing shortly after the Raiders completed practice.

“We had to see him run around, scramble and do different things because his arm didn’t go away,” Kiffin said. “We weren’t really worried about that. We had to make sure everything else was good.”

Culpepper began 2006 as Miami’s starter but had trouble with his mobility and was sacked 21 times in the first four games. The Dolphins then put him on injured reserve. When they acquired Trent Green in a trade with Kansas City this off-season, Culpepper was eventually released July 17.

Culpepper’s signing comes three months after the Raiders traded away his former teammate in Minnesota, Randy Moss.

Kiffin acknowledged that the Raiders wanted Culpepper partially because of the situation with Russell. Negotiations with Russell slowed over the weekend.

Jacksonville Jaguars center Brad Meester broke his right ankle during the first full-pads practice and will be sidelined at least eight weeks, the team said.

Meester, first thought to have a sprain, was scheduled to have surgery today. Dennis Norman will replace him.

On the fourth day of his holdout, seven-time Pro Bowl defensive end Michael Strahan made contact with the New York Giants and was told he would be welcomed back but the team is proceeding as if he is retiring.

Coach Tom Coughlin and General Manager Jerry Reese confirmed that they had lengthy conversations with the 35-year-old Strahan late Monday afternoon and evening.

The Chicago Bears and defensive tackle Darwin Walker agreed to a five-year, $25-million contract, two days after the team acquired him in a trade with the Buffalo Bills. Walker had held out for a new contract with the Bills. . . . Dallas Cowboys receiver Terry Glenn had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to be sidelined about two weeks. He was injured in practice Sunday. . . . Rawlings Sporting Goods said it ended its relationship with Michael Vick after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback pleaded not guilty to a charge of running a dog-fighting operation. Nike and Reebok suspended sales of Vick signature apparel on July 27.