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The pace of free-agent movement (at least among the offensive skill players) slowed a bit Sunday, the third day of the signing period. But it didn't grind to a complete halt. Indeed, while the quantity of moves was down, the impact went up -- at least when it comes to today's top move.

And that move came in Houston, where the Texans reached an agreement with their first free agent addition, Packers running back Ahman Green.

According to Houston Chronicle beat writer John McClain, Green, 30, is signing a four-year contract worth $23 million, including $6.5 million in guarantees.

Yahoo! Sports national correspondent Jason Cole reports that Green gets $18 million over the first three years of the contract.

That's a major commitment by the Texans, who had previously been rumored to be interested in trading up to acquire Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson in April's NFL Draft. It's safe to assume that's no longer an option -- if it every truly was.

ESPN.com insider Len Pasquarelli reports that of all the tailbacks available via trade or as free agents, Green -- despite his age -- was specifically targeted by Houston coaches.

Texans general manager Rick Smith was obviously pleased with the acquisition.

"We're excited to get this deal done because Ahman's been a successful running back in this league for a long time," Smith said in announcing the agreement. "We're going to hitch our wagon to him.

"We're not worried about his age because he takes great care of himself and is in great condition. One of the many things we like about him is his versatility.

"Not only can he run the ball, but he's an excellent receiver, too. We think he's an ideal fit for our system."

Although he missed much of the 2005 season with a quadriceps injury, Green has been one of the most productive running backs in the NFL for the past seven years.

The former Cornhusker standout enjoyed his five best seasons (2000-2004) when Mike Sherman was the Packers head coach. During that period, he never rushed for fewer than 1,163 yards. His best season was 2003 when he rushed for 1,883 yards and scored 20 touchdowns.

Sherman is now the Texans' offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

According to McClain, Green immediately becomes the starter, from a group that includes Domanick Williams, Wali Lundy, Chris Taylor, Samkon Gado and perhaps Ron Dayne.

The Texans will apparently continue their efforts to re-sign Dayne.

There are also major questions surrounding Williams' -- formerly Domanick Davis' -- future, all of which were outlined in this morning's Fantasy Notebook. A quick recap: Williams' future in Houston -- and as a pro -- is up in the air.

After Williams' sore knee forced the team to place him on injured reserve last September, the Texans struggled to find a starting running back all season. It wasn't until the final month of the season when Dayne became healthy that a running back sustained good games over a stretch.

As the Sports Xchange noted, Lundy struggled to sustain strong play last season. The rookie's play was spotty and had trouble getting into the holes quick enough at times. Taylor spent all season on the practice squad until being activated and seeing substantial time in the season finale when he had 20 carries for 99 yards.

The lack of a consistent ground game was something team officials were eager to avoid this year.

Green, a No. 1 pick by Seattle in 1998, is a ten-year veteran, who rushed for 1,059 yards and scored six touchdowns last season despite being slowed at times by a troublesome knee that often limited him practice time as the season progressed.

Still, as Profootballtalk.com editor Mike Florio suggests, Green could re-establish himself as a star runner in the Texans' zone-blocking scheme.

For what it's worth. ... Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, talking to reporters before Green signed with the Texans, said he believed the veteran tailback before was still capable of 20-22 carries per game at this stage of his career.

I'm sure the Texans appreciated the heads up. ...

Meanwhile, with Green no longer on board, the Packers are left with Vernand Morency, an inexperienced but talented back who was obtained for Gado in a trade with the Texans last season, as their top tailback.

Morency gained 434 yards on 96 carries last year.

According to Associated Press sports writer Chris Jenkins, Green Bay could look to address their running back needs with the No. 16 pick in the NFL draft next month or obtain another running back through free agency.

Whatever route they take, it's hard to imagine them sticking with Morency and Noah Herron, who is best suited to a third-down role.

With Green off the market, Jamal Lewis, Dominic Rhodes, Travis Henry and Chris Brown are the most prominent free-agent backs available. ...

In Tampa Bay. ... As the Sports Ticker put it: "A lot of retirees head to Florida. Jake Plummer apparently would rather stay in the Rocky Mountains. ..." This after Plummer ended all speculation regarding his future Sunday night, announcing his retirement on his foundation's official web site.

According to Denver Post staffer Mike Klis, there should be no more mixed signals. Plummer is finished with football.

The announcement caps a wacky turn of events surrounding Plummer, who lost his job as the Denver Broncos' starting quarterback late last season and was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday.

Rather than join a rebuilding team with a muddled quarterback situation in Tampa Bay, the 32-year-old Plummer instead decided to call it quits after 10 seasons.

"I want to thank my family and close friends for their loyal support through all these fun-filled, roller-coaster years," Plummer said in a statement posted on the web site. "Second, I owe all of my greatest achievements in football to the men who stood by my side as my teammates and coaches."

After leading the Broncos to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons with the team, Plummer struggled in 2006, passing for 1,994 yards, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions for a rating of 68.8. The veteran ultimately lost his starting job to Jay Cutler, Denver's 2006 first-round pick.

With Cutler cemented as the Broncos' starter, questions and rumors began circling regarding Plummer's future. He appeared to have found a new home with the Buccaneers, who acquired the veteran for a conditional 2008 draft pick.

But it was a puzzling move by Tampa Bay, which had signed free agent Jeff Garcia just hours earlier and already had young quarterbacks Chris Simms and Bruce Gradkowski on the roster.

It was such a puzzling move it led many to speculate that Plummer was trying to pull a fast one by using his retirement as a tactical maneuver to force a trade somewhere other than to Tampa Bay, and to a situation where he has a greater chance to start.

Some took that a step further. Florio suggested a scenario that had the Buccaneers essentially acting as a go-between facilitating a deal that would send Plummer to Oakland. A reasonable assumption considering the Broncos and Raiders would have a hard time dealing directly with one another.

But in the end it was moot.

"Football has been awesome to me in many ways," Plummer said in his statement. "I leave the game with my health and happiness and look forward to my future. I've got many rivers to cross. ..."

Also in Tampa. ... The Buccaneers on Sunday announced the signing of Jets fullback B.J. Askew. According to the team's official web site: "The 26-year-old [Askew] is just entering his prime and could help a Buccaneer rushing attack that slipped to 28th in the league in 2006."

At 6-3, 233 pounds, Askew is a versatile back who got his hands on the ball quite extensively at Michigan before the Jets drafted him in the third round in 2003.

Despite standing out on special teams, Askew has just 102 yards rushing on 27 carries and 12 catches for 73 yards in four seasons while being used mainly as a blocker. He hasn't scored a touchdown.

"I've been one-dimensional," he said. "And I'm not one-dimensional at all."

In fact, Askew, who claims to have run the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds last offseason, was pressing the Jets to move him from fullback to halfback.

Askew said he made his preference to play halfback known to the Jets last year, when the team used an ever-changing rotation of players at the position, including quarterback-turned-receiver Brad Smith.

"I thought for sure, 'Oh, man. This is going to turn out good for me,'" he said. "They just never gave it a chance."

Askew said he put on 10 pounds last summer to be a more powerful fullback, but the Jets objected.

"They said they didn't want me to be that big, and I asked why," Askew said. "They said, 'Don't we plan on using you in the passing game?' So, then I said I'd drop it, and I got right back down to 235. At the beginning of the year, they were passing to me a little bit, but then, as the regular season started, it was like all of that stuff just changed."

At Michigan, Askew was a productive halfback but moved to fullback when Anthony Thomas decided to stay for his senior year.

"They told me, 'Hey, if you want playing time, you've got to go to fullback because we're going to try to get Anthony the Heisman this year,"' he said. "So, of course I went to fullback. I was a kid wanting to play football. That's all I wanted to do. I made the move and, unfortunately, I did too good a job."

Askew references his college production for those who question if he could handle making the switch from fullback to halfback in the NFL. He finished his Michigan career with 1,580 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns, and had 83 receptions for 777 yards and six scores.

Still, I wouldn't bet the ranch on Askew emerging as a legitimate Fantasy prospect in Tampa. As long as Carnell Williams and Michael Pittman are on the roster -- and healthy -- touches for Askew will be limited. ...

In Oakland. ... As expected, veteran wide receiver Ronald Curry agreed to a restructured contract that now runs through the 2008 season and gives the Raiders more breathing room under the salary cap. He was due a $5 million roster bonus by Wednesday and carried a prohibitive cap figure of $6.54 million.

As noted in this morning's Fantasy Notebook, with new head coach Lane Kiffin facing the daunting task of bolstering an offense that scored a league-worst 168 points and had few productive players, that wasn't the case with Curry.

One of the NFL's great unknown comeback stories, Curry led the club in receiving with 62 receptions for 727 yards after suffering a torn Achilles' in both 2004 and 2005.

It will be interesting to see how Kiffin utilizes what is certainly his most dependable wideout and perhaps his most reliable offensive weapon. ...

Also, according to Contra Costa Times staffer Steve Corkran, Henry has arranged a visit with the Raiders in the coming days.

Signing Henry or another starting-caliber running back likely would mean the end for running back LaMont Jordan in Oakland after two so-so seasons. He is due a $4.75 million roster bonus by Wednesday, something the Raiders are averse to paying if they have a better option.

In a semi-related note. ... NFL Network insider Adam Schefter reports that New England free-agent tight end Daniel Graham left Oakland tonight and next will visit the Seattle Seahawks.

That's it for today. ... I encourage you to continue checking back in coming days.

As always, you'll find breaking items in the News & Views section of the site with more in-depth reviews of top stories available here in the Headline News section, where you'll also find the weekly Fantasy Notebook each Sunday during the offseason.