Vikings trade for Holcomb; Samuel reports to Patriots
Tarvaris Jackson has the starting quarterback job in Minnesota, and a new backup in veteran Kelly Holcomb.
The Vikings traded an undisclosed 2009 draft pick to Philadelphia on Monday for the 12-year veteran, who has 21 career starts, nearly twice as many as the other three quarterbacks on the roster combined.
Coach Brad Childress also announced that Jackson, a second-round pick out of Alabama State a year ago with 2 career starts, will be the opening-day starter. Holcomb will compete with Brooks Bollinger for the backup job.
"I think it's really important that you have the right mix of people in the quarterback room and that everybody understands what their role is," Childress said.
"It'll help," Jackson said. "He's an older guy. Been in the league a long time and won a lot of games. ... I just look at is as help for the team and help for me to get better. I'm looking forward to it."
Samuel ends holdout: New England Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel returned from his holdout that cost him a month of the preseason. Samuel, who tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions last season, was at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., taking a physical, but he did not practice. The Patriots applied the franchise tag to Samuel, meaning he'll make $7.79 million this season.
Extra points: Raiders coach Lane Kiffin narrowed his choice for a starting quarterback to Josh McCown and Daunte Culpepper. … Detroit will put second-year free safety Daniel Bullocks on injured reserve after he tore an anterior cruciate ligament. … Kevan Barlow, who signed with his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this year, was among 10 players released by the team. … New York Giants special-teams standout David Tyree will be sidelined up to six weeks with a broken left wrist. … Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter returned to practice Monday, less than three weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. … While Patriots guard Jeremy Bridges practiced with his teammates Monday, his lawyer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf for a misdemeanor assault charge for pointing a gun at a woman outside a strip club. …
Veteran wide receiver Tim Dwight was among eight players released by the New York Jets. … Tight end Jermaine Wiggins was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars.