Miami Dolphins: Less than a week after running back Rob Konrad was released, the team has signed his likely replacement. Unrestricted free agent Heath Evans received a one-year contract that is believed to include the minimum base salary of $540,000.
A four-year veteran who played his entire previous career with the Seattle Seahawks, who chose him in the third round of the 2001 draft, Evans is a player with considerable talent. His problem in Seattle, though, was that he was stuck behind standout fullback Mack Strong and never logged much playing time. That should not be a sticking point in Miami, where the versatile offense being installed under new coach Nick Saban should play to Evans' strengths.
The former Auburn star is a tough inside runner, good lead blocker and solid receiver, and could benefit from playing in a system where the fullback is often in motion. After releasing Konrad, a former second-round pick whose career has been slowed in a series of injuries, the Dolphins quickly targeted Evans as his replacement.
Evans, 26, has carried only 33 times for 108 yards and has 12 receptions for 87 yards. He has appeared in 61 games with just one start.
New Orleans Saints: The club hopes it found a diamond in the rough by reaching a one-year deal with former Cardinals outside linebacker LeVar Fisher.
The 25-year-old Fisher, who was released by Arizona last season, is a former second-round choice. The Saints plan to try him at his natural position at weakside linebacker to take advantage of his speed and athletic ability.
Fisher is a 6-foot-1, 239-pound linebacker from North Carolina State. He started 15 games in 2003 but didn't win over new Cardinals coach Dennis Green, who made many changes on offense and defense once taking over the team as head coach last season.
Fisher will make more than the $455,000 minimum salary with some workout bonuses and a roster bonus.
San Diego Chargers: Guards Kris Dielman and Bob Hallen, and linebacker Carlos Polk were re-signed to one-year contracts.
Dielman was an exclusive rights free agent while Hallen and Polk were unrestricted free agents. Hallen filled in at center in two regular-season games and saw
extensive action there in the wild-card playoff game against the New York Jets after starter Nick Hardwick injured his ankle. Polk missed the final 14 weeks of the 2004 season with a shoulder injury.
Dielman is entering his third season in the NFL. He joined the
Chargers as an undrafted free agent from Indiana in 2003 and has
played in 22 career games.
Dielman played in 16 games last year, mostly on special teams.
Chicago Bears: Special teams standout and defensive back Todd McMillon agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Bears.
Terms were not disclosed.
McMillon had 21 special team tackles last season. He appeared in 14 games last season, starting one at cornerback.
Houston Texans: The club re-signed backup quarterback
Tony Banks and signed unrestricted free agent linebacker Frank
Chamberlin to a one-year deal.
Banks, a 10-year veteran, has spent the past three seasons
backing up 2002 No. 1 overall draft pick David Carr. Banks played
in five games last year, completing only 1 of 2 passes for 16
yards.
The details of Banks' deal weren't immediately available. A
message left at the office of his agent, Marvin Demoff, had yet to
be returned.
Chamberlin is entering his fifth season in the NFL. He played
with the Cincinnati Bengals for the past two years, mostly on
special teams, but missed all of 2004 after being placed on the
injury reserve list with a torn bicep in the preseason.
Information from ESPN.com senior writers Len Pasquarelli, John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.