One of five suspects charged in the slaying of Washington Redskins star
Sean Taylor has pleaded guilty to charges of second-degree murder and burglary.Defense attorney
Michael Hornung says that according to the plea agreement,
Venjah Hunte will serve 29 years in prison and cooperate with prosecutors.Hornung says Hunte pleaded guilty earlier, but prosecutors requested the plea agreement be sealed because investigators were pursuing the fifth suspect.That suspect,
Timothy Brown, 16, was charged Wednesday with first-degree murder and armed burglary of an occupied dwelling.Taylor died of massive blood loss after he was shot at his Miami-area home during a botched robbery in November.
Around the leagueCLEVELAND: The Browns signed free agent defensive back
Jereme Perry to a 1-year contract to fill out their thin secondary.Perry played 12 games for the Browns in 2006 after earning a roster spot as an undrafted free agent from Eastern Michigan. He made 12 tackles and recovered one fumble. Perry played in four games on special teams for Miami last season.
JACKSONVILLE: The Jaguars gave defensive tackle
Rob Meier a bigger contract to go along with his bigger role.Meier, who is replacing three-time Pro Bowl player
Marcus Stroud in the starting lineup, signed a four-year contract extension.Although financial details weren't disclosed, Meier said the new deal will pay more than the $2.095 million he was due in the final year of his previous contract.Meier's deal also came two days after defensive end
Paul Spicer failed to show up for the team's first voluntary workout of the offseason while seeking a new contract.
NEW ENGLAND: Former assistant coach
Brian Daboll told the NFL he doesn't remember speaking with
Matt Walsh about the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough Walsh attended the day before the 2002 Super Bowl.Even if Daboll and New England's former video assistant did speak about it, "it would not be a violation of NFL rules," the league said.
WASHINGTON: The Redskins released former Pro Bowl kick returner
Jerome Mathis and signed undrafted rookie defensive end
J.T. Mapu.Mathis signed with Washington early last month, making him the only player from another team to join the Redskins during an unusually quiet free agency period before the draft. He made his practice debut during this month's minicamp.Mapu had 65 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in four years at Tennessee. He attended the minicamp on a tryout basis.Mathis made the Pro Bowl as a returner with Houston in 2005, but he was injured for most of the last two seasons and had two recent run-ins with the law. He became a free agent when the Texans opted not to make him a qualifying offer at the end of last season.
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