Broncos Sign Safety Ward – NFL Roundup

UNDATED (AP) — The NFL free-agency signing period began on Tuesday, and the Dallas Cowboys made room under the salary cap by releasing DeMarcus Ware. The franchise sack leader was due to make $16 million this season, his 10th in the NFL.

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said he will attempt to re-sign Ware, who had a career-low six sacks last season and is recovering from offseason elbow surgery.

Elsewhere:

- The Chicago Bears have released eight-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers, eliminating an $18 million salary cap hit. Peppers finished with just seven sacks, his lowest total in four seasons with Chicago and the fewest for him since he had a career-low 2 ½ with Carolina in 2007.

- Jonathan Martin, the offensive tackle at the center of the Miami Dolphins' bullying scandal, has been traded to the San Francisco 49ers for an undisclosed draft pick. Martin's move cross country brings him back to the Bay Area to be reunited with his former Stanford coach, Jim Harbaugh.

- The 49ers have released cornerback Carlos Rogers after three seasons. The Niners also have agreed to acquire quarterback Blaine Gabbert from the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round draft pick. And veteran place kicker Phil Dawson has received a new two-year contract after a sensational first season in San Francisco.

- The Browns have agreed to terms with strong safety Donte Whitner and reportedly have struck a deal with inside linebacker Karlos Dansby.

- The Indianapolis Colts have re-signed kicker Adam Vinatieri (vihn-uh-TEHR'-ee), hours before he was to become an unrestricted free agent. The Colts also have agreed to contract terms with free agent defensive end Arthur Jones

- The Washington Redskins have re-signed inside linebacker Perry Riley, keeping him off the open market hours before the start of free agency.

- The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms on a new three-year contract with defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, who had 49 tackles, two fumble recoveries, a sack and a forced fumble last season. The Falcons also released former Pro Bowl safety Thomas DeCoud.

- A person familiar with the negotiations says the Detroit Lions and running back Joique (JOYK) Bell have agreed to a $9.3 million, three-year contract, with $4.3 million guaranteed.

- A person familiar with the negotiations says Lions wide receiver Kevin Ogletree has agreed to a one-year contract.

- The Oakland Raiders have agreed to a five-year contract with offensive lineman Rodger Saffold and have re-signed running back Darren McFadden to a one-year contract.

- The Pittsburgh Steelers released linebacker LaMarr Woodley, with a post-June 1 designation to save money under the salary cap.

- A person familiar with the negotiations says the Dolphins and Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert have agreed to a contract that could be worth more than $45 million over five years. The person also says former Houston Texans defensive tackle Earl Mitchell has agreed to terms on a $16 million, four-year deal with Miami.

- The New York Giants have reached agreements with former Kansas City guard Geoff Schwartz and Oakland running back Rashad Jennings, according to the players. Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker O'Brien Schofield also agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal.

- The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with Chiefs running back, receiver and kick returner Dexter McCluster, who caught a career-high 53 passes for 611 yards in a Pro Bowl season last year.

- The Jaguars agreed to terms with former Denver Broncos guard Zane Beadles on a five-year contract worth $30 million.

- Left tackle Jared Veldheer and the Arizona Cardinals have agreed to a five-year contract worth $35 million, with $17 million guaranteed.

- Eugene Monroe is staying with the Baltimore Ravens after agreeing to a five-year contract.

- The Denver Broncos have revamped their defensive secondary by agreeing to a deal with Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward.

- The Buffalo Bills have re-signed kicker Dan Carpenter to a four-year contract.

- The New York Jets have re-signed kicker Nick Folk to a multiyear contract, less than two weeks after placing the franchise tag on him.