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Was anybody else starting to wonder if Brett Favre's sudden retirement so caught the NFL by surprise the ongoing free-agent signing period was going to shut down for the whole day? It sure seemed that way. ... Until early this evening.

But before we jump into today's moves, it's worth noting the torrid pace of signings over the previous four days means the pool of high-profile free-agent skill players is starting to dry up a bit.

The current list of unrestricted "name" players includes (but isn't limited to) quarterbacks Daunte Culpepper, Byron Leftwich and Trent Green; running backs Julius Jones, Warrick Dunn and Tatum Bell; receivers D.J. Hackett, Bryant Johnson and Drew Carter; and tight ends Eric Johnson and Bubba Franks.

I suspect some of the running backs will be coming off the list in fairly short order. My favorite mystery? The apparent lack of interest in Hackett, who has yet to make (or as far as I can see, even schedule) a visit to date.

Anyhow, getting back to the matter at hand. ...

We'll get the ball rolling tonight in Oakland, where Javon Walker, released by the Broncos last Friday, agreed to a deal with the division-rival Raiders on Tuesday.

NFL Network insider Adam Schefter and ESPN.com's Michael Smith are reporting Walker will sign a six-year, $55 million contract that includes more than $16 million in guarantees and pays him roughly $27 million over the first three years of the deal.

Beginning his career with the Packers, Walker played two seasons in Denver. He had 69 catches for 1,084 yards and eight TDs the first season. But the offseason was punctuated by tragedy. Involved in a drive-by shooting soon after the season ended, teammate Darrent Williams died in Walker's arms.

At first, Walker was unsure if he could continue playing in Denver, but he had a stellar training camp and got off to a good start last season, piling up 17 catches for 220 yards through two games before getting hurt.

He was supplanted by Brandon Marshall as the team's top receiver and finished with just 26 catches for 287 yards and no touchdowns.

The Broncos had tried to trade Walker but found no takers and released him to avoid having to pay him a $5.4 million option bonus on March 4.

Walker made it clear toward the end of the season -- when he was the forgotten man in Denver's offense -- that he wasn't willing to restructure his contract and he insisted all he needed was an offseason of rest to return to Pro-Bowl form.

Although he stopped short of demanding a trade like he did in Green Bay, Walker suggested at season's end that he wanted out; "I just don't think it's the best fit for me," he said at the time.

Now Walker, with 252 career receptions, immediately becomes the most prolific receiver on Oakland's roster.

That said, the knee issues (issues that have limited him to just 25 games over the last three seasons) remain a concern. As Dallas Morning News staffer Albert Breer recently reminded readers, there have been rumblings Walker will eventually need microfracture surgery (although Walker's agent, Kennard McGuire insists his client is healthy).

Still, Oakland needed an experienced receiver capable of getting down the field for new starting quarterback-to-be JaMarcus Russell. Walker is that.

Returning starter Ronald Curry (174 receptions, 2,166 yards, 11 touchdowns) was the most experienced receiving threat on the roster before Walker's arrival.

After that, Johnnie Lee Higgins, Will Buchanon, Drisan James and Todd Watkins, have a combined seven catches for 56 yards. Higgins had six of those last year for 47 yards; Buchanon had a single 9-yard reception in 2006. ...

In Seattle. ... T.J. Duckett is heading to play for the Seattle Seahawks with a five-year contract, the free agent running back told Associated Press sports writer Larry Lage on Tuesday night. According to Tacoma News Tribune staffer Frank Hughes, Duckett presumably signed a longer deal so that whatever the signing bonus is can be spread out over a longer period.

Duckett was productive in limited opportunities in Detroit's pass-happy offense during his one-year stint as a Lion. Last season he carried the ball 65 times for 335 yards.

He previously played for the Redskins and the Falcons, who selected him 18th overall in the 2002 NFL draft after running for 3,379 yard at Michigan State. Duckett has 2,642 career rushing yards and 36 TDs.

As Profootballtalk.com's Michael David Smith suggested today, the addition of Duckett in Seattle will raise more questions about whether Shaun Alexander is done with the Seahawks.

Although Alexander is only two years removed from an MVP season, he has averaged just three and a half yards a carry the last two years, he'll turn 31 before the 2008 season begins and there has already been considerable speculation about his future with a number of local reports suggesting the former MVP have to take a pay cut to remain in Seattle.

Meanwhile, the 6-0, 254-pound Duckett's size and success in goal-line situations three seasons ago when he scored eight touchdowns for Atlanta in 2005 at the very least offers a solution to the team's short-yardage struggles in the past two seasons. ...

Also in Seattle. ... The Seahawks signed veteran tight end Jeb Putzier to a one-year contract on Tuesday. Released last month by the Texans, Putzier had just six receptions while playing in eight games last season.

Putzier had his two best seasons with the Broncos.

He had 36 receptions and two touchdowns in 2004 and made 37 catches the following season. A sixth-round pick of Denver in 2002, the 29-year-old Putzier has 96 career receptions, averaging 13.0 yards per catch.

According to Hughes, Putzier is likely to take the place of Ben Joppru. Will Heller is the No. 2 guy and the No. 1 guy is likely to be taken in the draft. ...

In New England. ... Schefter reported tonight that the Patriots and Jabar Gaffney have agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract.

As Boston Globe staffer Mike Reiss notes, Gaffney's reported return ensures that four of the team's top five receivers will be back in 2008, as he joins Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Kelley Washington.

Donte' Stallworth is the lone top target to sign elsewhere, as he joined the Browns.

Gaffney totaled 36 receptions for 449 yards and five touchdowns in 2007. He had overtaken Stallworth as the primary No. 3 receiver by the end of last season.

Gaffney, in fact, proved to be a most valuable weapon down the stretch, catching 21 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns over the final six games. ...

In Chicago. ... Three days after losing Bernard Berrian to the Vikings, the Bears bring back a receiver they have always called their own. Marty Booker agreed to a two-year contract with the Bears Tuesday night. Booker, who holds the franchise record with 100 receptions from 2001, chose the Bears over the Patriots.

As Chicago Sun-Times staffer Brad Biggs noted, even after trading Booker with a third-round pick to the Dolphins in 2004, general manager Jerry Angelo would refer to him as "our Marty Booker," a sign of the regard he held him in.

In case you missed it, Berrian's departure left the team with Pro Bowl returner Devin Hester (20 catches, 299 yards 2 TDs last year) and Mark Bradley (6 catches, 71 yards and 1 TD in 2007) as their leading wide receivers.

While Booker will certainly help solidify the position, I still have a hard time imagining the veteran regaining his 2001 form in his second stint as a Bear. ...

In Minnesota. ... Free-agent running back and kickoff returner Maurice Hicks signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday.

The Vikings had an opening for a No. 3 back, behind Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor, after Mewelde Moore joined the Pittsburgh Steelers.

More importantly, Hicks comes with extensive special teams experience -- both covering kicks and returning kickoffs. With San Francisco last season, he averaged 23.8 yards per kickoff return. Over the past three years, the 49ers credited him with 50 special teams tackles.

The 29-year-old Hicks has started five games at running back in the NFL and posted a pair of 100-yard games. He has 869 career yards rushing, with six touchdowns and an average of 4.2 yards per carry.

According to St. Paul Pioneer Press staffer Don Seeholzer, Hicks said the coaches have told him they plan to use him in the offense a little bit.

"Right now, I'm just waiting and taking one day at a time," Hicks said. "I know my role on special teams. I'll talk to the coaches and see what they have in store for me."

Minneapolis Star-Tribune beat writer Judd Zulgad reports that Hicks said coaches discussed the possibility of serving as a third-down back and in other specific offensive situations.

"I wanted to find a place where I could be a returner but also play a role on the offense," he said. "That was the key."

With Peterson and Taylor in front of him, it's safe to assume Hicks' role will be small. ...

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.