News & Info/Headlines

Well. ... I think it's safe to say we've reached a point where daily Roster-Move Roundups are no longer mandatory. No, the signing period isn't over; but with most of the top Fantasy prospects already nailing down new deals or landing new gigs, it's certainly not rolling on at the pace we saw earlier this month.

I will, of course, continue to update. If not daily, then as needed.

And with today's top move of significant interest to Fantasy owners, let's go ahead and review the latest batch of signees.

We'll get the ball rolling tonight in Carolina, where wideout D.J. Hackett agreed to two-year, $3.5 million deal with the Panthers on Monday as team officials continued to upgrade their receiving corps.

The former Seahawk chose Carolina over Seattle, Washington and Tampa Bay, according to his agent, Kevin Robinson.

According to ESPN.com insider John Clayton, Hackett had a minimum salary offer from the Redskins.

“D.J. is extremely excited," said Robinson. “He was impressed with Marty Hurney, coach (John) Fox and really liked the entire Carolina organization."

The Panthers have been busy trying to get star receiver Steve Smith help after he faced constant double-teams last season. The Panthers signed receiver Muhsin Muhammad last month after he was released by Chicago.

The official company line says Hackett is expected to compete with Muhammad and Dwayne Jarrett for a starting spot. But Robinson told the Associated Press that Hackett was assured he’d be the No. 2 receiver in Carolina.

“The opportunity that they presented to him, he felt like it was a really good opportunity,” Robinson said.

Whatever the case, it's not hard to find local observers who expect Hackett to step right into that starting role with Muhammad serving as the No. 3.

Jarrett, recently charged with DUI, needs to pick up the pace in order to secure a more significant role. If he doesn't, fellow second-year man Ryne Robinson could push Jarrett for the fourth spot.

The 6-2, 208-pound Hackett would certainly provide bigger target opposite the small and speedy Smith.

Hackett, 26, spent the first three seasons of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, catching 105 passes for 1,394 yards and nine touchdowns.

Last season, Hackett was slowed by injuries and finished with 32 catches for 384 yards and three scores in six games. ...

In New York. ... Looking to add depth to the tight end position, the Jets added Bubba Franks to their roster, according to several New York-area media reports.

According to New York Daily News staffer Rich Cimini, the former Pro Bowler agreed to terms Sunday on a one-year, $1.65 million contract. Franks is expected to be a backup behind Chris Baker this season.

Franks was cut by Green Bay last month. He was due to make $3 million in base salary.

According to the reports, the Jets had originally hoped to sign tight end Ben Utecht. When that plan fell through after Utecht signed an offer sheet with the Bengals, New York focused its efforts on Franks.

Between 2001 and 2004, Franks caught 27 touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in the 2001, '02 and '03 seasons. Injuries have slowed Franks in recent years after he played only 10 games in 2005 and eight games in '07.

Franks, 30, who played in only eight games last season because of a torn knee ligament that didn't require surgery, caught a career-low 18 passes as a backup in 2007.

Still, as Newark Star-Ledger beat writer Dave Hutchinson notes, Franks remains a solid blocker and reliable receiver, especially in the red zone. He's viewed as a good complement to Baker.

Also according to Hutchinson, the Jets strongly considered drafting Franks in 2000, when they had four first-round picks and selected tight end Anthony Becht in the first round. ...

In Miami. ... The Dolphins have landed yet another special teams asset, adding former Bengals wide receiver Tab Perry as their latest addition to a thoroughly bolstered core of kickoff and kick return specialists.

Perry, who was impressive in 2005 as a rookie kick returner in Cincinnati, agreed to a one-year contract worth nearly $927,000, according to Bengals.com.

South-Florida Sun-Sentinel staffer Harvey Fialkov advised readers that Perry, who is 6-3, 208 pounds, has a connection to the Dolphins' new coaching staff. The return specialist played for receivers coach Karl Dorrell at UCLA.

In 2004, Perry had 22 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns for the Bruins.

As a rookie with the Bengals in 2005, the sixth-round pick finished with a franchise record 1,562 kickoff return yards and added two touchdowns on a run and a reception. Perry, 26, was also fourth on special teams with 16 tackles.

Last season Perry returned seven kickoffs for a 20.4-yard average.

As a receiver, Perry started one game and had one reception for seven yards. He was placed on injured reserve after Week 6 because of a hip injury that limited him to four games during the past two seasons.

According to Miami Herald staffer Jeff Darlington, Perry could see more opportunity to get on the field in the regular offense as a result of a thin corps of wide receivers for the Dolphins.

In Philadelphia. ... Dan Klecko signed a 2-year contract Monday with the Eagles, who plan to convert him from defensive tackle to fullback.

The 275-pound Klecko has played defensive tackle and special teams and served as a short-yardage fullback for the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts. The Eagles will use Klecko as a full-time fullback.

“Everything I’ve ever done at fullback has been very raw,” Klecko said. “This is going to be a whole learning experience.”

The Eagles did not re-sign last year’s starting fullback, Thomas Tapeh. Also under contract is Jason Davis, who spent last year on the practice squad.

Klecko said he will need to lose about 20 pounds to play fullback.

“I have to come to camp thinking I don’t have a job,” he said. “I have to work for it.”

In 47 games, Klecko has 39 tackles and three sacks and has caught four passes for 20 yards and a touchdown. He also had a touchdown catch in the Colts’ 2007 AFC championship game win over the Patriots.

That's it for this installment. ... Once again, I'll remind those interested in following along more closely to keep an eye on the News & Views and ESPN News Feed sections of the site.

And as always, those looking for something a little more in-depth should keep an eye out here, in the Headline News section.