NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans signed quarterback Tim
Rattay and also claimed linebacker Gilbert Gardner off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday.
The Titans also signed free-agent offensive lineman Marques Ogden and fullback Jonathan Evans and waived defensive tackle Marcus White and undrafted rookies fullback Nic Luc and defensive tackle Adrian Haywood. Ogden is the younger brother of Baltimore left tackle Jonathan Ogden.
Tennessee carried only two quarterbacks on the roster in 2006, with veteran Kerry Collins backing up Vince Young, and Matt Mauck was on the practice squad. Collins re-signed with the Titans this offseason.
"Tim will come in to learn our system, compete for a spot on our roster and give us the option of keeping three quarterbacks," general manager Mike Reinfeldt said. "Gardner is a player who improves our outside linebacker depth as someone who has seen time as a starter and has the tools to be an effective special teams contributor."
Rattay started 18 games with San Francisco and Tampa Bay, including playing in the final four games last season for the Buccaneers. His best season was in 2004, when he had nine starts and threw for 2,169 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Gardner, a third-round pick in 2004, becomes the third former Indianapolis defender the Titans have picked up. They signed linebacker David Thornton as a free agent last year and gave cornerback Nick Harper a three-year deal in March.
Gardner had 97 tackles and 15 starts with the Colts over the past three seasons, with 12 of those starts coming last season.